[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WEST LIBERTY 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 West Liberty 
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 school district received a 2001 Harkin grant totaling $500,000 
with additional funding from a bond referendum, local option sales tax 
and a donation from the West Liberty School Foundation which was used 
for the construction a new high school. A 2002 grant for $342,000 was 
used for the construction of the vocational agriculture greenhouse 
located at the high school. This school is the modern, state-of-the-art 
facility that befits the educational ambitions and excellence of this 
school district. Indeed, it is the kind of school facility that every 
child in America deserves.
  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 West Liberty Community School District. In particular, I would like 
to recognize the leadership of the Board of Education, Mike 
Duytschaver, Priscilla Haessig, Claire LeMay, Kevin Minor and Tim 
Buysse and former board members Bill Laughlin, Missy Johnson, Scott 
Harvey, Fay Cline, Karen Lathrop, and Joe Stiff. I would also like to 
recognize superintendent Robert Mata, former superintendent Rebecca 
Rodocker, principal Jim Hamilton, and staff members including Tom 
Anderson, Harry Christofferson and Richard Brand.
  The new high school was the result of the dedicated community 
leadership of Ken Morrison, Bill Cline, Jerry Anderson, Joyce Gauger, 
Jim Keele, Bob Owen, Geri Owen, Melody Henderson, Tesla Graham, Darren 
Brooke, Lori Brooke, Mark Johnson, Jan Fulwider, Lyle Zimmerman, Betty 
Zimmerman, and Bob Cline and the West Liberty School Foundation whose 
members included Tim Schneider, Linda Riley, Barb Keele, Bill Koellner, 
Mary Larson, and Jerry Melick.
  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 West Liberty 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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