[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     DAVENPORT COMMUNITY EDUCATION

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United 
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools 
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores 
are among the highest in the Nation.
  I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute the dedicated 
teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Davenport 
Community School District, and to report on their participation in a 
unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities.
  This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction 
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among 
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public 
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school 
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair 
efforts everything from updating fire safety systems to building new 
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal 
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it 
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
  The Davenport Community School District received a 2000 Harkin grant 
totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a gym addition and for 
interior remodeling at Smart Intermediate School. A second Harkin Grant 
was awarded to the district in 2003 for $399,000. Matching funds were 
available through the passage of a Local Options Sales and Service Tax. 
The remodeling of classrooms and improvements to the media center at 
Harrison Elementary School were made possible by the combination of 
these funds. Additionally, between 2000 and 2005, the Davenport 
Community School District has received more than $900,000 in fire 
safety grants. Early warning systems, fire alarms and emergency 
lighting were installed in school buildings through the district to 
assure the health and safety of students, teachers and staff. The 
Federal grants have made it possible for the district to provide 
quality and safe schools for their students.
  Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. 
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a 
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned 
citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in 
the Davenport Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the current board of education including 
Patt Zamora, Larry Roberson, Richard Clewell, Nikki DeFauw, Ralph 
Johanson, Ken Krumwiede and Tim Tupper and former board members Denise 
Hollonbeck, Jamie Howard, Steve Imming, Gary Kleinschmidt, Susan Low 
and the late Jim Hester. I would also like to recognize superintendent 
Julio Almanza, former superintendent Jim Blanche and several other 
members of the administration and support staff, Christie Wallace 
Noring, Linda Doran, Marsha Tangen, Tom Wagner, Howard Hunigan, Bill 
Good, Donna Cooper, Kris Kleinsmith, Marti Timmerman, Rachael Mullins, 
Tom Hunt, Karen Farley, Linda Smith Kortemeyer, the late Jane Grady and 
the late David Lane; and the commitment of community leaders like Dan 
Portes and Dave and Peggy Iglehart.
  As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in 
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings 
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation 
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, 
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The 
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United 
States is nearly 50 years.
  Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming 
sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown 
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our 
young people about our priorities. We have to do better.
  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Davenport Community School District. There is no question that a 
quality public education for every child is a top priority in that 
community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school 
year.

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