[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 7, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2790-S2791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MONONA 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

[[Page S2791]]

across my State. 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 4 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 Monona 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 Monona County worth over $1.7 
million and successfully acquired financial assistance from programs I 
have fought hard to support, which have provided more than $4.8 million 
to the local economy.
  Of course my favorite memory of working together has to be our shared 
commitment to school construction, renovation, and fire safety through 
the Harkin grant program. Working together with State and local 
communities, this funding has ensured Iowa students are learning in 
schools that are safe, and modern. I look forward to learning about the 
renovations made possible in Monona County.
  Among the highlights:
  Investing in Iowa's economic development: In Western 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 Monona 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, I 
have consistently fought for job training dollars which have meant more 
than $800,000 in Monona County, 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, Monona County has received $985,638 in Harkin Grants. Similarly, 
schools in Monona County have received funds that I designated for Iowa 
Star Schools for technology totaling $57,500.
  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, Monona County's 
fire departments have received over $498,000 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 
Monona 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 Monona 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 Monona 
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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