[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23636]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  POCAHONTAS AREA 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 Pocahontas 
Area 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. The Federal grant has made 
it possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for 
their students.
  The Pocahontas Area Community School District received several Harkin 
fire safety grants totaling $100,000 which it used to make hardware, 
electrical, and safety upgrades in several of their facilities. 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 Pocahontas Area Community School District. In particular, I would 
like to recognize the leadership of the board of education, Raymond 
Seehusen, John Behrendsen, Daniel Duitscher, Greg Fritz, Richard 
Garner, Darwin Eaton, and Jeff Kerns, and former members Jann Ricklefs, 
Timothy Cook, Thomas Nedved, Jody Lyon, Roger Witt, William Thomas, 
Stephen Baade, and Diane Harrison. I would also like to recognize 
superintendent Joseph Kramer, former superintendents Michael Wright and 
Dennis Pierce, and board secretary Diane Pattee.
  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 Pocahontas Area 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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