[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]




                    ROCK VALLEY 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 Rock Valley 
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 Rock Valley Community School District received a 2005 Harkin 
grant totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a new elementary 
school which includes classroom space for pre-kindergarten students and 
a new library for the school district. The district also renovated 
space in the high school to provide classrooms for the middle school. 
This school is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that benefits 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 Rock Valley Community School District. In particular, I would like 
to recognize the leadership of the board of education--president Al 
Vermeer, vice president Mary Pat Miller, Scott Kooima, Terry Van Maanen 
and James Van Veldhuizen and former board members Kevin Boeve, Gary 
Miller and Brian Nelsen. I would also like to recognize superintendent 
Dennis Mozer, high school principal Dave Meylink, elementary school 
principal Don Ortman, business manager Randy Taylor and the many 
volunteers and leaders of the community group which supported the bond 
referendum including Cal De Ruyter, Chris Godfredsen, Scott and Ericka 
Van Kekerix, Terry and Sue Van Maanen, Earl De Bey, Brian and Kris 
Vande Hoef, Kathleen Jespersen, Chuck Hoogeveen and Darlene Westra.
  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 Rock Valley 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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