S10312 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 1, 2008 

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 Council Bluffs Community 

School District received Harkin grants 

totaling $2,914,250 which it used to help 

modernize and make safety improvements throughout the district. The district received a 1999 construction grant 

for $750,000 to help replace windows and 

update HVAC systems at Longfellow, 

Lewis and Clark and Pusey Elementary 

Schools, a 2002 grant for $1 million to 

help upgrade plumbing at Thomas Jefferson High School and Edison, Roosevelt and Washington Schools and a 

2003 grant for $500,000 to help upgrade 

the HVAC and electrical systems, at 

Washington School and to help build a 

preschool restroom at Rue Elementary 

School. The district also received three 

fire safety grants totaling $675,000 to 

install sprinkler systems, fire alarm 

systems and make other safety improvements at several schools in 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 Council Bluffs Community 

School District. In particular, I would 

like to recognize the leadership of the 

board of education—President Marvin 

Arnpriester, Vice President Mark 

McGee, David Coziahr, J.J. Harvey, 

Janine Headen, Glen Mitchell, and 

Gina Malloy Primmer, and former 

board members Billi Harrill, Melanie 

Bates, Bobbette Behrens, Louie Carta, 

Francis Clark, Pam Collins, Randy 

Ewing, Marilyn Heider, Rick Killion, 

Kenneth Petersen, Mark Peterson, 

Cathy Ryba, Rita Sealock, David 

Strom, and Tim Wichman. I would also 

like to recognize Superintendent Martha Bruckner, former Superintendent 

Richard Christie, Longfellow principal, 

Peg Shea, Executive Director for Finance and Support Services, Greg Rodgers, and Administrator Neal Evans. 

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 

Council Bluffs 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.

f 

∑ 

EDDYVILLE-BLAKESBURG 

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 EddyvilleBlakesburg 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 Eddyville-Blakesburg Community School District received a 2000 

Harkin grant totaling $133,750 which it 

used to help build a new commons area 

at the elementary school. The district 

also received two fire safety grants totaling $47,013 for electrical work, to install a fire alarm system and make 

other repairs at the elementary school. 

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 Eddyville-Blakesburg Community School District. In particular, I 

would like to recognize the leadership 

of the board of education—Kevin Lane, 

Jeff Claypool, Dave Friedman, Dan 

Hulbert, Deb Bahr, Ed Glenn and Gay 

Murphy and former board members 

Orbie Brittain, Maurice Gardner, Greg 

Roberts, Lawrence Smith, Richard 

Lettington and Cindy Donohue. I would 

also like to recognize superintendent 

Dr. Dean Cook and former superintendent Dr. Allen Meyer. 

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 

Eddyville-Blakesburg 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.∑ 

f 

GREENE 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 Greene 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 Greene Community School District received a 2001 Harkin grant totaling $266,699 which it used to help 

build an addition to the high school. 

This school is a modern, state-of-theart facility that befits the educational 

ambitions and excellence of this school 

district. Indeed, it is the kind of school 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with SENATE
October 1, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10313 

facility that every child in America deserves. The district also received three 

fire safety grants totaling $75,000 to install new hoods in the kitchens at the 

elementary and high schools, to install 

fire alarms and door closures and make 

other repairs. 

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 Greene Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of 

education—Gary Hatcher, Laura 

Schafer, Troy Feldman, Barbara 

Brinkman and John Moellers and 

former board members Sara Trepp, 

Stanley Cousins, Robb Holtz, Jeff 

Lindell and Warren Van Dyke. I would 

also like to recognize superintendent 

Steve Ward and John Backer for his 

leadership of the citizens’ committee 

which supported the bond referendum 

for the project. 

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 

Greene 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.

f 

∑ 

KEOKUK 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 Keokuk 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 Keokuk Community School District received a 1999 Harkin grant totaling $750,000 which it used to help 

renovate Hawthorne Elementary 

School and build a library addition for 

the Middle School. And in 2002, the district began construction of an alternative school with a $481,250 Harkin 

grant, as well as funds from a bond referendum and proceeds from a local option sales tax. This facility opened in 

2005 and provides an unique learning 

environment for 75–100 students each 

day. In addition, nearly $455,000 in Harkin Fire Safety Grants have been 

awarded to the Keokuk Community 

School District between 1999 and 2004 

for the new alarm systems, new windows, and fire doors to assure the safety of students, teachers and staff. 

These schools are modern, state-of-theart facility that befits the educational 

ambitions and excellence of this school 

district. Indeed, it is the kind of school 

facility that every child in America deserves. 

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 Keokuk Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of 

education. 

As we mark the tenth 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 

Keokuk 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.

f 

∑ 

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 


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