[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23015]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     MOUNT AYR COMMUNITY EDUCATION

 Mr. HARKIN. Madam 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 Mount Ayr 
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 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 Mount Ayr Community School District received several Harkin fire 
safety grants totaling $124,500 which it used to repair fire safety 
problems. The grants were used to install new heat and smoke sensors, 
self-closing fire doors, evacuation lighting, and improved emergency 
exits and to rewire the fire panel. 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 superintendent Russ Reiter, the entire staff, 
administration, and governance in the Mount Ayr Community School 
District. In particular I would like to recognize the leadership of the 
board of education--president Rod Shields, former president and board 
member Craig Elliott, Beth Whitson, Dave Richards, James Uhlenkamp, and 
board secretary Jeanette Campbell. I would also like to recognize 
former superintendent Bill Decker who was instrumental along with the 
district staff in applying for and implementing the first grants. Also, 
the work of the following people should be cited: head custodian Clint 
Poore, secondary head custodian Mike Gilliland, and local contractor Ed 
Rotert.
  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 Mount Ayr 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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