[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22637]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      COLUMBUS 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 Columbus 
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 Columbus Community School District received a 2004 Harkin grant 
totaling $500,000 which it used to help replace the heating and cooling 
system with a geothermal system at the high school. Additionally, in 
1998 and 1999, fire safety grants totaling $50,000 were used to update 
the electrical wiring and the installation of new alarm systems and 
fire doors at the middle and high schools. 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 Columbus Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the board of education, Mike Braun, Marsha 
Gerot, Ed Smith, Dan Peters, and Georgia Kost. I would also like to 
recognize superintendent Richard Bridenstine and staff members 
including Tanya Purdy, Todd Heck and Mike Jay, and the community 
leadership of Mark Huston and Wade Edwards.
  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 Columbus 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.

                          ____________________