[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 159 (Wednesday, October 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10311-S10312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COUNCIL BLUFFS 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 Council 
Bluffs 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

[[Page S10312]]

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 Council Bluffs Community School District received Harkin grants 
totaling $2,914,250 which it used to help modernize and make safety 
improvements throughout the district. The district received a 1999 
construction grant for $750,000 to help replace windows and update HVAC 
systems at Longfellow, Lewis and Clark and Pusey Elementary Schools, a 
2002 grant for $1 million to help upgrade plumbing at Thomas Jefferson 
High School and Edison, Roosevelt and Washington Schools and a 2003 
grant for $500,000 to help upgrade the HVAC and electrical systems, at 
Washington School and to help build a preschool restroom at Rue 
Elementary School. The district also received three fire safety grants 
totaling $675,000 to install sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems and 
make other safety improvements at several schools in the district. 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 Council Bluffs Community School District. In particular, I would 
like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--President 
Marvin Arnpriester, Vice President Mark McGee, David Coziahr, J.J. 
Harvey, Janine Headen, Glen Mitchell, and Gina Malloy Primmer, and 
former board members Billi Harrill, Melanie Bates, Bobbette Behrens, 
Louie Carta, Francis Clark, Pam Collins, Randy Ewing, Marilyn Heider, 
Rick Killion, Kenneth Petersen, Mark Peterson, Cathy Ryba, Rita 
Sealock, David Strom, and Tim Wichman. I would also like to recognize 
Superintendent Martha Bruckner, former Superintendent Richard Christie, 
Longfellow principal, Peg Shea, Executive Director for Finance and 
Support Services, Greg Rodgers, and Administrator Neal Evans.
  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 Council Bluffs 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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