[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 159 (Wednesday, October 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       KEOKUK 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 Keokuk 
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 Keokuk Community School District received a 1999 Harkin grant 
totaling $750,000 which it used to help renovate Hawthorne Elementary 
School and build a library addition for the Middle School. And in 2002, 
the district began construction of an alternative school with a 
$481,250 Harkin grant, as well as funds from a bond referendum and 
proceeds from a local option sales tax. This facility opened in 2005 
and provides an unique learning environment for 75-100 students each 
day. In addition, nearly $455,000 in Harkin Fire Safety Grants have 
been awarded to the Keokuk Community School District between 1999 and 
2004 for the new alarm systems, new windows, and fire doors to assure 
the safety of students, teachers and staff. These schools are 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 Keokuk Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the board of education.
  As we mark the tenth 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 Keokuk 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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