[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 98 (Monday, June 23, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3895-S3896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          MARION 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 Marion 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 Marion County worth over $5 million 
and successfully acquired financial assistance from programs I have 
fought hard to support, which have provided more than $95 million to 
the local economy.
  Of course, one of my favorite memories of working together is working 
with Central College to provide $1.8 million for the Center for Math, 
Science, and Technology to expand its curriculum, increase technology 
training in teacher education, and provide distance learning for 
teachers in the field.
  Among the highlights:
  Investing in Iowa's economic development through targeted community 
projects: In Central 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 Marion 
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 
Marion County, I have fought to resurrect the Des Moines River 
Greenbelt account which helped the Marion County Cordova Center on the 
Rock to build an environmental learning center, amphitheater, trails, 
and other outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as a 4-mile trail 
connecting the city of Pella with Cordova area. While there is more to 
do in the future, I am pleased that construction of the first phase of 
the project was complete in August 2013 at a cost of $3,100,000.
  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, Marion County has received $319,444 in Harkin grants. Similarly, 
schools in Marion County have received funds that I designated for Iowa 
Star Schools for technology totaling $249,844.
  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

[[Page S3896]]

support to Iowa communities impacted by the devastating floods of 2008. 
Marion County has received over $5 billion 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, Marion County has received more than $2.2 
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, Marion County's 
fire departments have received over $1.7 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 Marion County 
has recognized this important issue by securing $264,000 for worksite 
wellness programs.
  This is at least a partial accounting of my work on behalf of Iowa, 
and specifically Marion 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 Marion 
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.

                          ____________________