[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 159 (Wednesday, October 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WATERLOO 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 Waterloo 
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 Waterloo Community School District received 15 Harkin grants 
totaling $5,434,952 which it used to help modernize and make safety 
improvements throughout the district. The Waterloo Community School 
District received seven construction grants totaling $3,786,616 which 
have helped the district build Walter Cunningham School of Excellence, 
Irving Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, and Poyner 
Elementary School. The grants have also helped with a classroom 
addition and renovations at Lowell Elementary School and with 
renovation projects at East High School, West High School and Kingsley 
Elementary School. These schools are the 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 eight fire safety grants totaling 
$1,648,336 to install fire alarm systems and make other repairs at East 
High School, Central Middle School, Hoover Middle School, Logan Middle 
School, Bunger Middle School, McKinstry Elementary School, and Kingsley 
Elementary School. 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 Waterloo Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the board of education--President Bernice 
Richard, Vice President Barb Opheim, Pam Miller, Lyle Schmitt, Michael 
Kindschi, Judy Fossell and Mike Young, and former board members Doug 
Faas, Don Hanson, Craig Holdiman, Lance Dunn, Bob Heaton, Robert 
Krause, Robert Smith, and Dave Juon. I would also like to recognize 
superintendent Dr. Gary Norris, former superintendents Dr. Dewitt Jones 
and Dr. Arlis Swartzendruber, director of buildings and grounds Marty 
Metcalf, former director of buildings and grounds Jack Fitzgerald, 
board secretary Sharon Miller, along with a number of building 
principals including Mary Meier, Bob Tyson, Martin Van Roekel, Dr. Gail 
Moon, Elizabeth Crowley, Vicky Smith, Dr. Mary Jo Wagner, Kari 
Gunderson, Bob Wright, Dr. Loleta Montgomery, Brian Ortman, Phillip 
Anderson, Jennifer Hartman, Marla Padget, and Pam Zeigler.
  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 Waterloo 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.

                          ____________________