[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 6, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           CLAY 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 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 Clay 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 Clay County worth over $20 million 
and successfully acquired financial assistance from programs I have 
fought hard to support, which have provided more than $997,000 to the 
local economy.
  Of course my favorite memory of working together has to be their work 
through Main Street Iowa to renovate the Spencer Community Theater. In 
1982, this building was transformed from the vacant Spencer Grocer 
Building into the Spencer City Theatre, a center for arts, culture, and 
community gathering. This funding has allowed for the space to again be 
transformed. With these renovations, the Spencer City Theatre is now a 
facility that can better serve the Clay County community.
  Among the highlights:
  Main Street Iowa: One of the greatest challenges we face--in Iowa and 
all across America--is preserving the character and vitality of our 
small towns and rural communities. This isn't just about economics; It 
is also about maintaining our identity as Iowans. Main Street Iowa 
helps preserve Iowa's heart and soul by providing funds to revitalize 
downtown business districts. This program has allowed towns like 
Spencer to use that money to leverage other investments to jump-start 
change and renewal. I am so pleased that Clay County has earned $50,000 
through this program. These grants build much more than buildings. They 
build up the spirit and morale of people in our small towns and local 
communities.
  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, Clay County has received $797,135 in Harkin Grants. Similarly, 
schools in Clay County have received funds that I designated for Iowa 
Star Schools for technology totaling $110,000.
  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, Clay County has received more than $14 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, Clay County's 
fire departments have received over $705,345 for firefighter safety and 
operations equipment.
  Disability Rights: Growing up, I loved and admired my brother Frank, 
who was deaf. But I was deeply disturbed by the discrimination and 
obstacles he faced every day. That is why I have always been a 
passionate advocate for full equality for people with disabilities. As 
the primary author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 
ADA Amendments Act, I have had four guiding goals for our fellow 
citizens with disabilities: equal opportunity, full participation, 
independent living and economic self-sufficiency. Nearly a quarter 
century since passage of the ADA, I see remarkable changes in 
communities everywhere I go in Iowa--not just in curb cuts or closed 
captioned television but in the full participation of people with 
disabilities in our society and economy, folks who at long last have 
the opportunity to contribute their talents and to be fully included. 
These changes have increased economic opportunities for all citizens of 
Clay County, both those with and without disabilities. And they make us 
proud to be a part of a community and country that respects the worth 
and civil rights of all of our citizens.
  This is at least a partial accounting of my work on behalf of Iowa, 
and specifically Clay 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 Clay 
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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