[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 157 (Monday, September 29, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TITONKA CONSOLIDATED 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 Titonka 
Consolidated 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 Titonka Consolidated Community School District received a 2005 
Harkin grant totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a new middle 
school and an addition at the elementary school. These schools are 
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 a fire safety grant totaling $25,000 which it used to update 
sprinkler systems in the district.
  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 Titonka Consolidated Community School District. In particular, I'd 
like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Laura 
Phelps, Allison Anderson, Gloria Bartelt, Leroy Hoffman and Daryl 
Chapin as well as former board member Lori Miller. I would also like to 
recognize superintendent Ron Sadler, Allen Boyken of Titonka Savings 
Bank, Jeff Carlton of Boyken Insurance, and the staff of Holland 
Contracting and Allers Associates Architects. Two members of the local 
community who were also instrumental in the project were Rhonda Sexton 
and Kathy Studer.
  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 Titonka Consolidated 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.

                          ____________________