[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7824-7825]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         PALO ALTO COUNTY, IOWA

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, the strength of my State of Iowa 
lies in its vibrant local communities, where citizens come together to 
foster economic development, make smart investments to expand 
opportunity, and take the initiative to improve the health and well-
being of residents. Over the decades, I have witnessed the growth and 
revitalization of so many communities across my State. And it has been 
deeply gratifying to see how my work in Congress has supported these 
local efforts.
  I have always believed in accountability for public officials, and 
this, my final year in the Senate, is an appropriate time to give an 
accounting of my work across four decades representing Iowa in 
Congress. I take pride in accomplishments that have been national in 
scope--for instance, passing the Americans with Disabilities Act and 
spearheading successful farm bills. But I take a very special pride in 
projects that have made a big difference in local communities across my 
State.
  Today, I would like to give an accounting of my work with leaders and 
residents of Palo Alto County to build a legacy of a stronger local 
economy, better schools and educational opportunities, and a healthier, 
safer community.
  Between 2001 and 2013, the creative leadership in your community has 
worked with me to secure funding in Palo Alto County worth over $1 
million and successfully acquired financial assistance from programs I 
have fought hard to support, which have provided more than $116 million 
to the local economy.
  Of course my favorite memory of working together has to be working 
with the community to support the Iowa Lakes Community College. I am 
especially pleased with the college's work on sustainable energy.
  Among the highlights:
  Investing in Iowa's economic development through targeted community 
projects: In Northwest Iowa, we have worked together to grow the 
economy by making targeted investments in important economic 
development projects including improved roads and bridges, modernized 
sewer and water systems, and better housing options for residents of 
Palo Alto County. In many cases, I have secured Federal funding that 
has leveraged local investments and served as a catalyst for a whole 
ripple effect of positive, creative changes. For example, working with 
mayors, city council members, and local economic development officials 
in Palo Alto County, I have fought for funding for Iowa Lakes Community 
College projects worth over $3.7 million, helping to create jobs and 
expand economic opportunities.
  School grants: Every child in Iowa deserves to be educated in a 
classroom that is safe, accessible, and modern. That is why, for the 
past decade and a half, I have secured funding for the innovative Iowa 
Demonstration Construction Grant Program--better known among educators 
in Iowa as Harkin grants for public schools construction and 
renovation. Across 15 years, Harkin grants worth more than $132 million 
have helped school districts to fund a range of renovation and repair 
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new 
schools. In many cases, these Federal dollars have served as the needed 
incentive to leverage local public and private dollars, so it often has 
a tremendous multiplier effect within a school district. Over the 
years, Palo Alto County has received $484,540 in Harkin grants. 
Similarly, schools in Palo Alto County have received funds that I 
designated for Iowa Star Schools for technology totaling $149,500.
  Agricultural and rural development: Because I grew up in a small town 
in rural Iowa, I have always been a loyal friend and fierce advocate 
for family farmers and rural communities. I have been a member of the 
House or Senate Agriculture Committee for 40 years--including more than 
10 years as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Across the 
decades, I have championed farm policies for Iowans that include 
effective farm income protection and commodity programs; strong, 
progressive conservation assistance for agricultural producers; 
renewable energy opportunities; and robust economic development in our 
rural communities. Since 1991, through various programs authorized 
through the farm bill, Palo Alto County has received more than $5.7 
million from a variety of farm bill programs.
  Keeping Iowa communities safe: I also firmly believe that our first 
responders need to be appropriately trained and equipped, able to 
respond to both local emergencies and to statewide challenges such as, 
for instance, the methamphetamine epidemic. Since 2001, Palo Alto 
County's fire departments have received over $585,120 for firefighter 
safety and operations equipment.
  Disability Rights: Growing up, I loved and admired my brother Frank, 
who was deaf. But I was deeply disturbed by the discrimination and 
obstacles he faced every day. That is why I have always been a 
passionate advocate for full equality for people with

[[Page 7825]]

disabilities. As the primary author of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act, ADA, and the ADA Amendments Act, I have had four guiding goals for 
our fellow citizens with disabilities: equal opportunity, full 
participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency. Nearly 
a quarter century since passage of the ADA, I see remarkable changes in 
communities everywhere I go in Iowa--not just in curb cuts or closed 
captioned television, but in the full participation of people with 
disabilities in our society and economy, folks who at long last have 
the opportunity to contribute their talents and to be fully included. 
These changes have increased economic opportunities for all citizens of 
Palo Alto County, both those with and without disabilities. And they 
make us proud to be a part of a community and country that respects the 
worth and civil rights of all of our citizens.
  This is at least a partial accounting of my work on behalf of Iowa, 
and specifically Palo Alto County, during my time in Congress. In every 
case, this work has been about partnerships, cooperation, and 
empowering folks at the State and local level, including in Palo Alto 
County, to fulfill their own dreams and initiatives. And, of course, 
this work is never complete. Even after I retire from the Senate, I 
have no intention of retiring from the fight for a better, fairer, 
richer Iowa. I will always be profoundly grateful for the opportunity 
to serve the people of Iowa as their Senator.

                          ____________________