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[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 159 (Wednesday, October 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10313-S10314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

               MARTENSDALE-ST. MARYS 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 Martensdale-
St. Marys 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 Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District received a 2003 
Harkin grant totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a classroom 
addition and perform renovations in the existing school. The district 
also received a $25,000 fire safety grant to upgrade lighting and 
wiring in the area of the stage. 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 Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District. In particular, I 
would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--
Velvet Van Hoose, Scott Anderson, Cathy Seymour, Nicole Bunch, and John 
Della Vedova, and former board members Merle Allen, Larry Henson, Pat 
Connor, Dean Gavin, and Holly Estell. I would also like to recognize 
superintendent Jean Peterson, former superintendent Peggy Huisman, 
business manager Jane Cassady, and maintenance director Jim Lynch.
  As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in 
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that

[[Page S10314]]

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 Martensdale-St. Marys 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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