[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 160 (Thursday, October 2, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S10476]]
                  LAURENS-MARATHON 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 Laurens-
Marathon 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 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 Laurens-Marathon Community School District received several 
Harkin fire safety grants totaling $100,000 which it used to make 
extensive upgrades in their school facilities, including new emergency 
lighting, doors and hardware. 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 Laurens-Marathon Community School District. In particular, I would 
like to recognize the leadership of the board of education, president 
Nancy Fuchs, vice president Deb Kenobbie, Dr. Brett Fehr, Terry 
Gunnarson and Bridget Bailey, and former members, Brett Barglof, Thaine 
Hopkins, Tom Schmidt, Karen Lind, Kelly Snyder, and Ken DeYoung. I 
would also like to recognize superintendent Iner Joelson, former 
superintendents Dan Braunschweig and Michael Wright, business manager 
Sue Wenell, and head custodian Jim Hodgell.
  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 Laurens-Marathon 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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