[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 14, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S3023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       POTTAWATTAMIE 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 Pottawattamie 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 Pottawattamie County worth over $24 
million and successfully acquired financial assistance from programs I 
have fought hard to support, which have provided more than $65 million 
to the local economy.
  Of course my favorite memories of working together have to include 
the Pottawattamie County Preschool Initiative plan was developed to 
dramatically expand preschool for more than 250 unserved children, 
several affordable housing and main street reconstruction projects, as 
well as work on transportation infrastructure and airport improvements. 
While I have worked to secure more than $2.8 million for the 
Pottawattamie County Preschool Initiative, as part of the private-
public partnership, the Iowa West Foundation also committed $7 million 
for the early learning initiative. This is the type of investment Iowa 
needs to ensure a brighter economic future for every student. I look 
forward to learning how this program has impacted students in 
Pottawattamie County.
  Among the highlights:
  Investing in Iowa's economic development through targeted community 
projects: 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 
Pottawattamie 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 Pottawattamie County, I have fought for over $16 million 
to reconstruct the Avenue G viaduct, over $2.5 million for affordable 
housing projects, and secured $2 million to make sure the airport got 
priority for a new runway through the Federal Aviation Administration, 
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, Pottawattamie County has received $5.1 million in Harkin grants. 
Similarly, schools in Pottawattamie County have received funds that I 
designated for Iowa Star Schools for technology totaling $168,650.
  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, Pottawattamie 
County's fire departments have received over $1.5 million 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 Pottawattamie 
County has recognized this important issue by securing more than $5.6 
million for the Community Health Center.
  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 
Pottawattamie 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 Pottawattamie 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 
Pottawattamie 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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