[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23839]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      CRESTON 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 Creston 
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 Creston Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant 
totaling $1 million which it used to help with renovations to convert 
the middle school into an early childhood education center. This 
project was part of a comprehensive facility plan for the district 
which included a new K-8 school and an addition to the high school. 
These schools are the modern, state-of-the-art 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 a 1998 fire safety grant totaling 
$60,862 to install fire alarms, improve accessibility, and update 
electrical systems throughout the district.
  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 Creston Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the board of education--president Bob 
Deranleau, vice president Stacy Wood, Randy Hughes, Chad Briley, and 
Brian Strider, and former board members Dr. Bob Kuhl, Bobbie McFee, 
Barb Wilmeth, Callie Bruce, and Rich Flynn. I would also like to 
recognize superintendent Tim Hood, business manager Don Krings, 
maintenance director Gary Briley, and the many individuals involved in 
the effort to pass the bond referendum.
  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 Creston 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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