[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 157 (Monday, September 29, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY EDUCATION

 Mr. HARKIN. Madam 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 Cedar Rapids 
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 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 Cedar Rapids Community School District received Harkin grants 
totaling $4,912,132 which it used to help modernize and make safety 
improvements throughout the district. Six Harkin construction grants 
totaling $3,750,000 have helped with several projects. A 1999 grant was 
used to help build Viola Gibson Elementary School, and Harkin grants 
helped the district build additions for science and fine arts at 
Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington High Schools; additions which 
included media centers and additional classrooms at Hoover, Roosevelt, 
and McKinley Middle Schools and Pierce and Wilson Elementary Schools 
and to also make plumbing and HVAC improvements at McKinley. These 
schools are the modern, state-of-the-art facilities that befit the 
educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, 
they are the kind of schools that every child in America deserves.
  The district also received six fire safety grants totaling $1,162,132 
to make improvements at buildings throughout the district. The 
improvements included upgraded fire alarm systems, electrical work and 
other safety repairs. 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 Cedar Rapids Community School District. In particular, I would like 
to recognize the leadership of the board of education--John Laverty, 
Keith Westercamp, Lisa Kuzela, Ann Rosenthal, Melissa Kiliper-Ernst, 
Mary Meisterling, and Judy Goldberg, and former board members Richard 
Bradford, Ken Childress, Doug Henderson, Jeff Ilten, Dennis Kral, Becki 
Lynch, Susan McDermott, Ron Olson, and Al Smith.
  I would also like to recognize superintendent David Markward, former 
superintendent Lew Finch, and staff members including Doug Smith, Bob 
Gertsen, Steve Graham, Susan Peterson, Tom Day, Chris McGuire, Barb 
Harms, Brian Krob, Kathy Conley, Connie Tesar, Wayne Knapp, Larry 
Martin, Bill Utterback, Joyce Fowler, Tim Virden, Rick Netolicky, Becky 
DeWald, Ralph Plagman, Bob Tesar, Terry Strait, Mary Wilcynski, Shannon 
Bucknell, Richard Sedlacek, Ken Morgan, Valerie Dolezal, Mike Allen, 
Steve Hilby, Kristen Ricky, Brian Litts, Gregg Petersen, Kathleen 
Reyner, and David Dvorak, and the following individuals from Shive 
Hattery: George Kanz, Keith Johnk, Jim Knowles, Doug DuCharme, Tim 
Fehr, and Chad Siems.
  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 Cedar Rapids 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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