[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 93 (Monday, June 16, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3681-S3682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          CLINTON 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.

[[Page S3682]]

  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 Clinton 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 Clinton County worth over $25 
million and has successfully acquired financial assistance from 
programs I have fought hard to support, which have provided more than 
$26.5 million to the local economy.
  Of course, my favorite memories of working together include working 
tirelessly with local law enforcement, particularly with regard to 
funding to combat the scourge of drugs in the community, as well as 
numerous major projects to improve infrastructure and transportation in 
the community.
  Among the highlights:
  Investing in Iowa's economic development through targeted community 
projects: In Eastern 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 Clinton 
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 
Clinton County, I have fought for more than $13.3 million to redevelop 
Liberty Square, more than $2.6 million for the 19th Avenue Connector, 
$2.1 million for trails between Clinton and Comanche, and more than $4 
million for sewer infrastructure, 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, Clinton County has received more than $1.6 million in Harkin 
grants. Similarly, schools in Clinton County have received funds that I 
designated for Iowa Star Schools for technology totaling $145,000.
  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. 
Clinton County has received over $2.5 million to prevent tragedy 
associated with 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, Clinton County has received more than $1.5 
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, Clinton 
County's fire departments have received over $3.1 million for 
firefighter safety and operations equipment, and the law enforcement 
community has received more than $77,000 in Byrne Justice Assistance 
grants, $75,000 for drug free communities, $185,000 in funds dedicated 
to methamphetamine hot spots, and $15,000 to assist drug endangered 
children.
  Disability rights: Growing up, I loved and admired my brother Frank, 
who was deaf. 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 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 Clinton County, both those 
with and without disabilities. 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 Clinton 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 Clinton 
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.

                          ____________________