[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19708]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       BAXTER COMMUNITY EDUCATION

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United 
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools 
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores 
are among the highest in the Nation.
  I would like to take just a few minutes, today, to salute the 
dedicated teachers, administrators, and school board members in the 
Baxter Community School District, and to report on their participation 
in a unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school 
facilities.
  This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction 
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among 
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public 
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school 
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair 
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new 
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal 
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it 
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
  The Baxter Community School District received a 2003 Harkin grant 
totaling $500,000 which it used towards building new elementary school 
classrooms. The additions also allowed the district to add a preschool 
classroom and partner with a local childcare center. This school is a 
modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits the educational ambitions 
and excellence of this school district. Indeed, it is the kind of 
school facility that every child in America deserves. The district also 
received a fire safety grant in 1999 for $8,893, which was applied to a 
new detection system, wiring and exit signs at the high school.
  Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. 
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a 
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned 
citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in 
the Baxter Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of superintendent Neil Seales, building 
committee cochairs Jim Robinson, Julie McWhirter, and Larry Hesson, and 
the Baxter school board of directors.
  Mr. President, as we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin School 
Grant program in Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of 
school buildings and facilities across the United States are in dire 
need of renovation or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according 
to a recent study, some 79 percent of public schools need to be 
upgraded or repaired. The harsh reality is that the average age of 
school buildings in the United States is nearly 50 years.
  Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming 
sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown 
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our 
young people about our priorities. We have do better.
  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Baxter Community School District. There is no question that a 
quality public education for every child is a top priority in that 
community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school 
year.

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