[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22252]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    MARSHALLTOWN 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 Marshalltown 
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 Marshalltown Community School District received several Harkin 
grants totaling $3,319,658 which it used to help modernize and make 
safety improvements throughout the district. Harkin construction grants 
totaling $2.5 million have helped with renovation projects at 
Marshalltown High School, Miller Middle School and Anson, Woodbury, 
Franklin, Lenihan and Rogers Elementary Schools. These projects have 
included new classrooms, new roofs, and new HVAC systems. These schools 
are the modern facilities that befit the educational ambitions and 
excellence of this school district. Indeed, they are the kind of 
schools that every child in America deserves.
  The district also received six fire safety grants totaling $819,658 
to make improvements at Marshalltown High School, Miller Middle School, 
and Woodbury, Rogers, Anson, Hoglan, Lenihan and Franklin Elementary 
Schools. The improvements included new sprinkler systems, upgraded fire 
alarm systems and other safety repairs. The Federal grants have made it 
possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for their 
students.
  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 Marshalltown Community School District. In particular, I would like 
to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Pam Swarts, Kay 
Beach, Jay Merryman, Dick Hessenius, Paul Gassman, Anne Paullus and 
Dean Stucky and former board members Betsy Macke, Floyd Jury, Jack 
Lashier, Bob Downey, Kent Loney, Dick Russell, Adrienne Macmillan, Anne 
Bacon, Linda Borsch, Sally Hansen, Don McKibben, JoAnn Miller, Wayne 
Sawtelle, Doug Betts, Bob Christenson and Steve Ford. I would also like 
to recognize superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade; former superintendents Dr. 
Stephen Williams, Dr. Richard Doyle and Dr. Harrison Cass, Jr.; 
principals Bonnie Lowry, Brad Clement, Ralph Bryant, Sarah Johnson, Tom 
Renze, Mick Jurgensen, Bea Niblock, Vicki Vopava, Amy Williams and Tim 
Holmgren; former principals Jerry Stephens, Pat Kremer, Mary Giese and; 
finance director Kevin Posekany; former finance directors Larry Pfantz 
and Dan Gillen; director of buildings and grounds Rick Simpson and 
architect Dave Schulze from TSP Group.
  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 to do better.
  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Marshalltown 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.

                          ____________________