[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 66 (Monday, May 5, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2645-S2646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        BUENA VISTA COUNTY, IOWA

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, the strength of my State of Iowa 
lies in its vibrant local communities, where citizens come together to 
foster economic development, make smart investments to expand 
opportunity, and take the initiative to improve the health and well-
being of residents. Over the decades, I have witnessed the growth and 
revitalization of so many communities across my State. And it has been 
deeply gratifying to see how my work in Congress has supported these 
local efforts.
  I have always believed in accountability for public officials, and 
this, my

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final year in the Senate, is an appropriate time to give an accounting 
of my work across four decades representing Iowa in Congress. I take 
pride in accomplishments that have been national in scope--for 
instance, passing the Americans with Disabilities Act and spearheading 
successful farm bills. But I take a very special pride in projects that 
have made a big difference in local communities across my State.
  Today, I would like to give an accounting of my work with leaders and 
residents of Buena Vista County to build a legacy of a stronger local 
economy, better schools and educational opportunities, and a healthier, 
safer community.
  Between 2001 and 2013, the creative leadership in your community has 
worked with me to secure funding in Buena Vista County worth over $4.9 
million and successfully acquired financial assistance from programs I 
have fought hard to support, which have provided more than $23.6 
million to the local economy.
  Of course my favorite memory of working together has to be working 
with Buena Vista University to secure more than $5.5 million since 1995 
for renovations and investments to the campus, including course 
development needs, modernizing technology and equipment, and support 
for distance learning programs.
  Among the highlights:
  Investing in Iowa's economic development through targeted community 
projects: In Northwest Iowa, we have worked together to grow the 
economy by making targeted investments in important economic 
development projects, including improved roads and bridges, modernized 
sewer and water systems, and better housing options for residents of 
Buena Vista County. In many cases, I have secured Federal funding that 
has leveraged local investments and served as a catalyst for a whole 
ripple effect of positive, creative changes. For example, working with 
mayors, city council members, and local economic development officials 
in Buena Vista County, I have fought for funding for more than $2.5 
million to dredge Storm Lake, helping to create jobs and expand 
economic opportunities.
  School grants: Every child in Iowa deserves to be educated in a 
classroom that is safe, accessible, and modern. That is why, for the 
past decade and a half, I have secured funding for the innovative Iowa 
Demonstration Construction Grant Program--better known among educators 
in Iowa as Harkin grants for public schools construction and 
renovation. Across 15 years, Harkin grants worth more than $132 million 
have helped school districts to fund a range of renovation and repair 
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new 
schools. In many cases, these Federal dollars have served as the needed 
incentive to leverage local public and private dollars, so it often has 
a tremendous multiplier effect within a school district. Over the 
years, Buena Vista County has received $424,090 in Harkin grants. 
Similarly, schools in Buena Vista County have received funds that I 
designated for Iowa Star Schools for technology totaling $175,000.
  Disaster mitigation and prevention: In 1993, when historic floods 
ripped through Iowa, it became clear to me that the national emergency-
response infrastructure was woefully inadequate to meet the needs of 
Iowans in flood-ravaged communities. I went to work dramatically 
expanding the Federal Emergency Management Agency's hazard mitigation 
program, which helps communities reduce the loss of life and property 
due to natural disasters and enables mitigation measures to be 
implemented during the immediate recovery period. Disaster relief means 
more than helping people and businesses get back on their feet after a 
disaster, it means doing our best to prevent the same predictable flood 
or other catastrophe from recurring in the future. The hazard 
mitigation program that I helped create in 1993 provided critical 
support to Iowa communities impacted by the devastating floods of 2008. 
Buena Vista County has received over $12 million to remediate and 
prevent widespread destruction from natural disasters.
  Agricultural and rural development: Because I grew up in a small town 
in rural Iowa, I have always been a loyal friend and fierce advocate 
for family farmers and rural communities. I have been a member of the 
House or Senate Agriculture Committee for 40 years--including more than 
10 years as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Across the 
decades, I have championed farm policies for Iowans that include 
effective farm income protection and commodity programs; strong, 
progressive conservation assistance for agricultural producers; 
renewable energy opportunities; and robust economic development in our 
rural communities. Since 1991, through various programs authorized 
through the farm bill, Buena Vista County has received more than $5.9 
million from a variety of farm bill programs.
  Keeping Iowa communities safe: I also firmly believe that our first 
responders need to be appropriately trained and equipped, able to 
respond to both local emergencies and to statewide challenges such as, 
for instance, the methamphetamine epidemic. Since 2001, Buena Vista 
County's fire departments have received over $596,000 for firefighter 
safety and operations equipment.
  Wellness and health care: Improving the health and wellness of all 
Americans has been something I have been passionate about for decades. 
That is why I fought to dramatically increase funding for disease 
prevention, innovative medical research, and a whole range of 
initiatives to improve the health of individuals and families not only 
at the doctor's office but also in our communities, schools, and 
workplaces. I am so proud that Americans have better access to clinical 
preventive services, nutritious food, smoke-free environments, safe 
places to engage in physical activity, and information to make healthy 
decisions for themselves and their families. These efforts not only 
save lives, they will also save money for generations to come thanks to 
the prevention of costly chronic diseases, which account for a whopping 
75 percent of annual health care costs. I am pleased that Buena Vista 
County has recognized this important issue by securing more than $2 
million for the United Community Health Center.
  This is at least a partial accounting of my work on behalf of Iowa, 
and specifically Buena Vista County, during my time in Congress. In 
every case, this work has been about partnerships, cooperation, and 
empowering folks at the State and local level, including in Buena Vista 
County, to fulfill their own dreams and initiatives. And, of course, 
this work is never complete. Even after I retire from the Senate, I 
have no intention of retiring from the fight for a better, fairer, 
richer Iowa. I will always be profoundly grateful for the opportunity 
to serve the people of Iowa as their Senator.

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