[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23016]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     SIOUX CITY 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 
Sioux City 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 Sioux City Community School District received six Harkin grants 
totaling $2,225,000 which it used to help modernize and make safety 
improvements throughout the district. The district received a 2000 
grant for $500,000 to help with a science classroom addition to East 
Middle School and a 2002 grant for $1 million to install a new HVAC 
system which improved efficiency and indoor air quality at North High 
School. The district received four fire-safety grants totaling $725,000 
for fire alarms, emergency lighting, and other repairs in several 
schools throughout the district. 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 Sioux City Community School District. In particular, I would like 
to recognize the leadership of the board of education--president Doug 
Batcheller, vice president John Meyers, James Daane, Greg Grupp, Walt 
Johnson, Nancy Mounts and Jackie Warnstadt and former board members 
Anne James, Flora Lee, John Mayne, Judy Peterson, Bob Scott, Valorie 
Kruse, Ron Jorgensen, and Barbara Benson. I would like to recognize 
superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman, former superintendent Larry D. 
Williams, director of operation and maintenance Mel McKern and 
supervisor for environmental systems Ralph Guenther.
  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 Sioux City 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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