Tom Harkin

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Madam 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 Cedar Rapids 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 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 Cedar Rapids Community School District received Harkin grants totaling $4,912,132 which it used to help modernize and make safety improvements throughout the district. Six Harkin construction grants totaling $3,750,000 have helped with several projects. A 1999 grant was used to help build Viola Gibson Elementary School, and Harkin grants helped the district build additions for science and fine arts at Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington High Schools; additions which included media centers and additional classrooms at Hoover, Roosevelt, and McKinley Middle Schools and Pierce and Wilson Elementary Schools and to also make plumbing and HVAC improvements at McKinley. 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 six fire safety grants totaling $1,162,132 to make improvements at buildings throughout the district. The improvements included upgraded fire alarm systems, electrical work and other safety repairs. 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 Cedar Rapids Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--John Laverty, Keith Westercamp, Lisa Kuzela, Ann Rosenthal, Melissa Kiliper-Ernst, Mary Meisterling, and Judy Goldberg, and former board members Richard Bradford, Ken Childress, Doug Henderson, Jeff Ilten, Dennis Kral, Becki Lynch, Susan McDermott, Ron Olson, and Al Smith. I would also like to recognize superintendent David Markward, former superintendent Lew Finch, and staff members including Doug Smith, Bob Gertsen, Steve Graham, Susan Peterson, Tom Day, Chris McGuire, Barb Harms, Brian Krob, Kathy Conley, Connie Tesar, Wayne Knapp, Larry Martin, Bill Utterback, Joyce Fowler, Tim Virden, Rick Netolicky, Becky DeWald, Ralph Plagman, Bob Tesar, Terry Strait, Mary Wilcynski, Shannon Bucknell, Richard Sedlacek, Ken Morgan, Valerie Dolezal, Mike Allen, Steve Hilby, Kristen Ricky, Brian Litts, Gregg Petersen, Kathleen Reyner, and David Dvorak, and the following individuals from Shive Hattery: George Kanz, Keith Johnk, Jim Knowles, Doug DuCharme, Tim Fehr, and Chad Siems. 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 Cedar Rapids 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.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Madam 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 Dows 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, 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 Dows Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant totaling $77,787 to help replace boilers and ceiling tiles at the elementary and middle schools. The district also received two fire safety grants totaling $51,291 for emergency lighting, heat detectors, and other repairs at the schools. 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 Dows Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Marty Osterman, Kristi Hinkle, Jon Bakker, Betty Ellis, and Corey Jacobson, and former board members Shelly Howard and Steve Tassinari. I would also like to recognize superintendent Dr. Robert Olson, former superintendent Lyle Schwartz, board secretary Carol Hanson, and elementary school principal Sara Pralle. 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 Dows 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.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Madam 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 Clarke 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 Clarke Community School District received three Harkin fire safety grants totaling $331,099 which it used to replace wiring and install fire escapes, fire doors, alarm systems, heat detectors, emergency lighting, and firewalls in district school buildings. 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 superintendent Ned Cox and former superintendent Steve Waterman and the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Clarke Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--president Linda Henry, vice president Ed White, Michael Evink, Mark Jones, Jeff Wilken, Steve O'Tool, and Larry Gibbs, and former board members Doug Stearns, Kris Lange, Kathy Seelinger, Duane Otto, Darwin Downing, Joni Nelson, Chuck DeVos, Carol Reisinger, Roger Cole, Michael Motsinger, and Kevin Dorland. 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 Clarke 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.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Madam 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 MOC-Floyd Valley 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 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 MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District received two Harkin fire safety grants totaling $140,380 which it used to install new wiring, emergency lighting and doors at Hosper Elementary School and at the high school and to install fire detection systems and fire doors as well as perform electrical work at four other schools. 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 MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Gerald VanRoekel, Patty Thayer, Deb DeHaan, Shane Jager, Dan Duistermars and former board members Ed Grotenhuis and Harry VanderPol. Superintendent Gary Richardson and former superintendent Les Douma and buildings and grounds director Jim VanOmmeren should also be commended for their work on the grant application and implementation. 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 MOC-Floyd Valley 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.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Madam 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 Glenwood 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 Glenwood Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant totaling $871,000 which it used to help install a new HVAC system at the High School. This school is a modern, state-of-the-art 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. The district also received a fire safety grant totaling $36,048. 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 Glenwood Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education, Bill Agan, David Warren, Frank Overhue, Theresa Romens, and Linda Young, and former members, Nancy Krogstad, Paul Speck, and Marland Gammon. I would also like to recognize director of operations Dave Greenwood and former school improvement coordinator Kerry Newman and current superintendant Dr. Stan Sibley. 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 ultra-modern 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 got to do better. That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in the Glenwood 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.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Madam 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 North Iowa 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 North Iowa Community School District received several Harkin grants totaling $812,000 which it used to help modernize the school building and to make safety improvements. The district received a 2001 Harkin grant for $225,000 to help with classrooms for preschool and before and after school programs. The district received a 2002 grant for $437,500 to help make renovations in the auditorium and to improve accessibility at the elementary school and at the high school. This school is a modern, state-of-the-art 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. The district also received $150,000 in fire safety grants to make safety improvements at schools 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 North Iowa Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Rande Giesking, Diedre Willmert, Renae Sachs, Matt Duve, Julie Balvance, Andrea Bakker, and Michael Holstad, and former board members Kim Ruby, Irven Olsen, Deb Wirth, Brandi Trent, David Brue, Dale Coy, Mark Ostermann, Tom Rygh, Jeff Heitland, Bruce Heetlans, and Christian Miller. I would also like to recognize superintendent Larry D. Hill, board secretary Cheryl Benn, Charlie Smith, K. Lynn Evans, Dr. John Laflen, and Brian Blodgett. 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 North Iowa 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.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Madam 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 Titonka Consolidated 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 Titonka Consolidated Community School District received a 2005 Harkin grant totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a new middle school and an addition at the elementary school. These schools are 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 fire safety grant totaling $25,000 which it used to update sprinkler systems in 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 Titonka Consolidated Community School District. In particular, I'd like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Laura Phelps, Allison Anderson, Gloria Bartelt, Leroy Hoffman and Daryl Chapin as well as former board member Lori Miller. I would also like to recognize superintendent Ron Sadler, Allen Boyken of Titonka Savings Bank, Jeff Carlton of Boyken Insurance, and the staff of Holland Contracting and Allers Associates Architects. Two members of the local community who were also instrumental in the project were Rhonda Sexton and Kathy Studer. 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 Titonka Consolidated 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.

Mr. HARKIN

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 West Delaware County 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 West Delaware County Community School District received several Harkin fire safety grants totaling $270,199 which it used to upgrade the fire alarm system and improve emergency lighting and other items at the high school and middle school as well as add fire rated doors and smoke and heat detectors at Lambert 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 superintendent Bob Cue and the entire staff, administration, and governance in the West Delaware County Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--president Elwyn Curtis, Mike Ryan, Steve Dudak, Cheryl Stufflebeam and Linda Bessey, as well as past members former president Dan Zumbach, Mike Carr, Ilona Durey, Gary Johnson, Jack Young, and Edith Fortmann-Comley. Other dedicated district staff who were instrumental in the success of the grant implementation whom I would also like to recognize are the late superintendent Rick Hilbert, business manager Ron Goerdt, building and grounds director Ron Swartz, and technology coordinator Ron Struble. 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 West Delaware County 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.

Mr. HARKIN

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 Van Buren 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 Van Buren Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant totaling $837,000. These funds were used to build a school library which is also available to the community, a lunchroom, an art and music room and a meeting space at the Douds Elementary School. With a financial commitment from the community through the passage of a local option sales tax and a contribution from the Van Buren Foundation, the Douds Elementary School created a safe and supportive learning environment. In 2003, a second Harkin grant for $500,000 was awarded to the Van Buren School District. Matching funds came from a generous donation from the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation. The funds were used for the remodeling of the art and music room at Stockport Elementary School, and to add another pre-school classroom at the Birmingham Early Childhood Center. 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. 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 Van Buren Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Tony Huffman, Terry Jester, Dick Hornberg, Sheila Parsons, Stan Whitten, Karen McEntee and Brian Starnes and former board members Jon Finney, Dixie Daugherty, Jean McIntosh, Monte Humble, Bill Shewmaker and Dr. Tim Blair. I would also like to recognize superintendent Karen Stinson, former superintendent Richard Barton and principal Charles Russell. The projects would not have been possible without the financial support of two local foundations and I would like to recognize the board of directors of the Hoaglin Foundation; and the Van Buren Foundation board of directors, whose members include Art Ovrom, Dean Folker, Jon Finney, B.R. Poole, Steve Kisling, Rex Strait, Sandy McLain, Davis Pollock, Rich Lytle, Jim Dorothy, Butch Gates, Matt Manning, Jeanne Erickson, John O. Manning, Don VonSeggen, Pat Miller, George Manning, Mary J. Smith, Allen Gunn and Crystal Cronk. 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 Van Buren 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.

Mr. HARKIN

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 Woodbine 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 Woodbine Community School District received several Harkin grants totaling $1,138,670 which it used to help build a new school, renovate existing classrooms, and make fire safety repairs throughout the district. This school is a modern, state-of-the-art 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. To accomplish this comprehensive plan to modernize schools throughout the district, the citizens in the school district passed a bond issue for $5.1 million. 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 Woodbine Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Amy Sherer, Mike Staben, Joanna Shaw, Todd Heistand, and Amber Nelson and former board members Joe Ball, Ryan Sullivan, Randall Pryor, Cheryl Book, Alan Ronk, Lynnette Lee, and Alan Ahrenholtz. I would also like to recognize superintendent Tom Vint, former superintendent Dr. Terry Hazard, former high school principal Deb Johnsen, Jim Berg with BVH Architects and the members of the steering committee responsible for passage of 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 Woodbine 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.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, as our colleagues know, my State of Iowa and other States across the Midwest were hit by devastating tornadoes, floods, and heavy rains this past spring. These were natural disasters of historic proportions, and they left tremendous damage and destruction in their wake. Three and a half months later, Iowans are making progress toward recovery. But the harsh reality is that many flood victims are still living in trailers or with relatives. Many businesses can't get the low-interest Small Business Administration loans they need to rebuild and recover. Cities are waiting for funding to restore damaged infrastructure. We still face billions of dollars in unmet needs across Iowa. Within weeks of the flooding, Congress acted promptly to provide assistance, passing a $2.65 billion disaster assistance bill. This was intended to be only an initial injection of Federal aid--a downpayment on the long recovery ahead. I am very pleased that, in this continuing resolution before us today, we have the second installment on disaster assistance. The bill includes $23 billion in disaster aid, with a significant share of those dollars destined for Iowa and other Midwestern states hit by floods and tornadoes. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have been working with other members of the committee, and with the House Appropriations Committee; with other Senators from the disaster- impacted States; as well as the Iowa House delegation for months to secure these urgently needed funds. I am both gratified and grateful that my colleagues on the Appropriation Committees recognized the disaster recovery needs in my State of Iowa as a national priority. The $23 billion provided in this bill is allocated in several areas. The largest segment is $8 billion to replenish FEMA's available funding, which is crucial. However, the amount that local governments and individuals receive from FEMA is set by existing law. One of the most important functions is mitigation funding equal to 20 percent of most of what FEMA spends in a State. Those funds are used to reduce the chance of damage from future disasters. I am proud that, in 1993, I was the chief sponsor of legislation that sharply expanded this program, similar to what it is today. We need not only to recover from past disasters, but work to limit damage in the future. The most significant component of relief funding in this bill is $6.5 billion for community development block grants. State and local governments have considerable flexibility and leeway in how they use these grants. They can be used for home repairs and buyouts, assistance to businesses, repair of damaged public facilities, and additional mitigation efforts to reduce damage from future disasters. The amount of CDBG funding varies from time to time, as do the specific rules. The language in this continuing resolution provides more flexibility than has often been provided in the past. Since passage of the initial flood relief in late June, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has been very slow to actually get CDBG funding out the door and to the people who need it. There has been endless redtape and chronic delays. And this is unacceptable at a time when so many people are hurting and so many businesses are struggling to put people back to work. To prevent a repeat of this poor performance, a provision was included, which I proposed, requiring that HUD allocate at least one- third of the CDBG money in this bill within 60 days of it being signed. This will give us confidence that, by about December 1, a significant portion of this CDBG money will be in the hands of individuals and businesses that urgently need it. Needless to say, this ``one third'' requirement is a minimum. I hope that HUD will do better than that and will release this new CDBG funding as expeditiously as possible. This new disaster-relief package includes several other major components. It includes $7.9 billion for FEMA disaster relief, which helps pay individuals affected by disasters nationally. It includes $600 million for the social services block grant program to provide urgently needed services to people in areas hit by disasters. This funding can be used to purchase food, shelter, and clothing, as well as health care and mental health services. States may also use these funds for vital public health activities, such as surveillance of water-borne or mosquito-borne diseases. Funds may also be used to repair damaged health care and social services facilities, such as child care centers. In addition, the package includes $182 million for construction of the new Cedar Rapids Courthouse. As many of my colleagues know, the city of Cedar Rapids was devastated by the flooding in June. The Cedar River crested at nearly 32 feet, inundating nearly 400 city blocks-- more than 9 square miles. The construction of this new Federal courthouse will be an important symbol of the rebirth and rebuilding of this proud city. The package also includes important disaster relief for rural areas. It includes: $59 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help rebuild and repair single and multifamily homes in rural areas; $40 million for USDA to rebuild and repair rural community facilities, including nonprofit facilities, everything from hospitals to day care centers, in towns with populations under 20,000; $26 million for rural utilities including water and wastewater, rural electric cooperatives, electric and telephone repair, and reconstruction; $100 million for the USDA Emergency Watershed Program for recovery from floods, storms, and other natural disasters; $115 million for the USDA Emergency Conservation Program; $850 million is made available for the repair of State highways damaged by the storms across the country; and $20 million is made available for the repair of rail line and bridges of small railroads that have suffered very considerable damage. These funds are crucial to several small railroads that are very important to many local shippers and receivers of rail goods. This funding is not available to the large railroads. In addition to the relief provisions in the continuing resolution, I want to mention the good work of my senior colleague, Senator Grassley, who played a lead role in moving a number of important tax provisions in the separate tax extender bill that passed the Senate earlier this week--tax provisions that will be of significant benefit to those recovering from disasters. I was pleased to be the lead Democratic sponsor of his disaster tax bill in this area that includes important assistance for homeowners, for the building of new housing, and assistance to rebuild and revitalize business. The funding in the continuing resolution will bring a second infusion of urgently needed resources to people in Iowa and across the Midwest. No question, people in my State have suffered terrible damage, and the road back is going to be long and difficult. But as I have witnessed in recent months, Iowans are a tough, resilient people. And they are also a generous people, pitching in to help neighbors and strangers alike. As I learned in the Navy, there are two responses to a disaster. It's either ``every man for himself, abandon ship,'' or it's ``all hands on deck, save the ship.'' Well, Iowans are an ``all hands on deck'' kind of people. We will endure--and we will prevail. Finally, let me say that the disaster funding in this bill is another important, positive step on the path to full recovery. But additional assistance will be needed. The reality is that the funding levels for the disaster package were set with only minimal information on the level of damage suffered by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. When that data is set, I believe it will be clear that additional assistance will be necessary for those accounts that are allocated by the level of damage in each State or region compared to all of the disaster areas. Hopefully, early next year, by which time we should have a nearly complete assessment of damages and needs, I will work with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to include a third installment of disaster relief on the omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2009. I am grateful to my colleagues for providing this generous assistance to people and businesses in Iowa and across the Midwest. And I urge their support for this continuing resolution.

Mr. HARKIN

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 Columbus 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 Columbus Community School District received a 2004 Harkin grant totaling $500,000 which it used to help replace the heating and cooling system with a geothermal system at the high school. Additionally, in 1998 and 1999, fire safety grants totaling $50,000 were used to update the electrical wiring and the installation of new alarm systems and fire doors at the middle and high schools. 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 Columbus Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education, Mike Braun, Marsha Gerot, Ed Smith, Dan Peters, and Georgia Kost. I would also like to recognize superintendent Richard Bridenstine and staff members including Tanya Purdy, Todd Heck and Mike Jay, and the community leadership of Mark Huston and Wade Edwards. 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 Columbus 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.

Mr. HARKIN

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 Boyer Valley 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 Boyer Valley Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant totaling $1 million which it used to help build an addition to the school in Dow City to provide a multipurpose room that could be used by the community as well as the school. The district collaborated with the City of Dunlap to build an addition to the middle/high school to house the community/school library. This school is a modern, state- of-the-art 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. The district also received a $25,000 fire safety grant. 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 Boyer Valley Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Ken Dunham, Pat Putnam, Julie Wood, Steve Puck, Paul Klein, Mark McAllister, and Randy Mitchell, and former board members Roger Waderich, Theresa McAllister, Ruth Sherwood, Sam Cogdill, Sam Head, and Jane Davie as well as superintendent Thomas Vint and former superintendent Debra Johnsen. I would also like to recognize the city of Dow City and mayor Ace Ettleman, the city of Dunlap and treasurer Dwaine Hack and the late mayor Giles Lacey and the committee that worked to pass the bond referendum for the new schools. 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 Boyer Valley 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.

Mr. HARKIN

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 Storm Lake 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 Storm Lake Community School District received several Harkin fire safety grants totaling $221,274 which it used to upgrade fire alarm systems at East Elementary and the Storm Lake High School; install fire detection systems at West and North Elementary Schools; and bring district facilities into fire inspection compliance through installation of emergency lighting, electrical upgrades made necessary due to expanding technology needs, and installation of fire safety doors and stairwell separators. 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 superintendent Paul Tedesco and the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Storm Lake Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Dan Douglas, Barb Seiler, Leslie Cutler, Ed McKenna, and Todd Nicholson. Former superintendent Dr. Bill Kruse was also instrumental in the application and implementation of the grants, and public safety director Mark Prosser and Storm Lake fire chief Mike Jones supported the district's efforts by assisting in the assessment and identification of fire safety needs of the district. 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 Storm Lake 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.

Mr. HARKIN

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 Davenport 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 Davenport Community School District received a 2000 Harkin grant totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a gym addition and for interior remodeling at Smart Intermediate School. A second Harkin Grant was awarded to the district in 2003 for $399,000. Matching funds were available through the passage of a Local Options Sales and Service Tax. The remodeling of classrooms and improvements to the media center at Harrison Elementary School were made possible by the combination of these funds. Additionally, between 2000 and 2005, the Davenport Community School District has received more than $900,000 in fire safety grants. Early warning systems, fire alarms and emergency lighting were installed in school buildings through the district to assure the health and safety of students, teachers and staff. 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 Davenport Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the current board of education including Patt Zamora, Larry Roberson, Richard Clewell, Nikki DeFauw, Ralph Johanson, Ken Krumwiede and Tim Tupper and former board members Denise Hollonbeck, Jamie Howard, Steve Imming, Gary Kleinschmidt, Susan Low and the late Jim Hester. I would also like to recognize superintendent Julio Almanza, former superintendent Jim Blanche and several other members of the administration and support staff, Christie Wallace Noring, Linda Doran, Marsha Tangen, Tom Wagner, Howard Hunigan, Bill Good, Donna Cooper, Kris Kleinsmith, Marti Timmerman, Rachael Mullins, Tom Hunt, Karen Farley, Linda Smith Kortemeyer, the late Jane Grady and the late David Lane; and the commitment of community leaders like Dan Portes and Dave and Peggy Iglehart. 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 Davenport 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.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?

Mr. HARKIN. First, I thank the Senator from North Dakota for perhaps the most lucid and unencumbered description of where we are now and how we got here. So many times we hear these people from Wall Street and the investment firms and they talk in a language that not too many people understand. But when the Senator from North Dakota boils it down, he can get it down to its simple structures so people can understand. That is the great service that the Senator from North Dakota has done, to bring it down, as they say, get the hay out so the cows can have at it, eat it. That is what he has done. He has gotten it down so we can understand what we are talking about. There is no real magic--``Harry Potter'' magic--in this stuff. This is basic finance that can be distilled down to its fundamentals. When we look at those fundamentals, then we can begin to understand what was going on. I thank the Senator from North Dakota for, again, a very lucid presentation. I ask my friend from North Dakota, one of the issues they are talking about in this bailout is oversight. James Galbraith, an economist from the University of Texas, has suggested strongly that we should--if a bank or one of these investment firms is going to offer this worthless paper for the taxpayers to buy--and, by the way, I keep seeing this as a government bailout. I think we should call it what it is: a taxpayer bailout. The taxpayers have to fund this. But he suggested we should look and make sure we understand and get the internals. It is like when a company is going bankrupt and it comes into a bank to get a loan. The bank doesn't just say: Show me your balance sheet; they want to know how you got there, what were your internals, what were your models you used to build all this up so we can understand what is going on. I suggested this to Secretary Paulson the other evening. Oh, he said, this is too involved, too difficult to understand. Well, we better understand it. I ask the Senator from North Dakota if he doesn't think it would be wise to have some kind of an inspector general, a special kind of person set up to get expertise from outside of the industry, and to demand that if they want to have the taxpayers buy their worthless paper, we ought to at least look at everything to see how they got there and what are the models they used. Because I suspect--and this is only my suspicion--that one of the reasons they do not want us to see that is because, as the Senator from North Dakota has pointed out, there has been a lot of accounting fraud going on here. It is like my buying something, then I sell it to the Senator from North Dakota, and he turns around and sells it back to me, and I sell it back to him, and everybody makes a profit along the way. Isn't that neat? So I ask the Senator from North Dakota if he doesn't think it would be wise, in order to protect the taxpayers now and in the future, to demand that we see all the internal operations of their company and how they got there?

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, first, I wish to thank Senator Durbin for what he said because I have come to the floor to talk about that bottom of the pyramid; to talk about a vote we will be having in another hour and a half or so on a stimulus package that goes directly to the kind of people Senator Durbin is talking about, the people at the bottom. They are unemployed. They need help--they need food stamps, they need unemployment benefits extended, and they need infrastructure jobs to rebuild our economy. Yet we are not talking about that. So I wish to thank Senator Durbin so much for pointing that out because I wish to talk about that for awhile. Before I do that, I ask unanimous consent that following my remarks Senator Grassley be recognized to speak for up to 30 minutes.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, following on what Senator Durbin was talking about, all the news, of course, all the time, is about this bailout for the financial institutions. They are talking about $700 billion, but actually it is about $1 trillion. When you take in AIG and you take in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, you are into a trillion dollars. But what about the honest, hard-working, play-by-the-rules citizens at the bottom of this pyramid who are left in the ruins? They are left in the ruins after years of mismanagement and outright malpractice by the titans of the financial industry. So I wish to talk about the economic recovery package, the Reid-Byrd economic recovery package that I think we will be voting on very shortly--otherwise called the stimulus package. It meets the urgent needs of working families all across America, with a special emphasis on those hardest hit by the economic downturn. There is no question that we need this stimulus package. The first stimulus package we had, that was White House driven, and it was to send checks out to almost everybody. So we sent the checks out. Well, I have to admit I voted for it, but I kind of wish now I hadn't. But I voted for it, and a lot of those checks went out, and who knows what happened to that money. Some of it may have been saved; OK. Some of it may have been spent to reduce credit card debt; OK. Some of it may have been used to buy a new flat-screen TV made in China, or other kinds of things. So you don't know if it was a stimulus or not. What we need now is to do a real stimulus--something that actually will effectively stimulate the economy and which has been proven economically that, for every dollar you put in, you will get more than a dollar back in economic activity. The unemployment rate has been rising for 8 straight months. Home prices, as we know, continue to plummet. Millions of Americans face the prospect of foreclosure and losing their homes. Prices have risen sharply for staples such as food, gasoline, electricity, and home heating oil. So we urgently need this second stimulus measure. Winter is coming on, and people are hurting. Instead of just sending out checks, this bill targets it to those who have been suffered the most. It injects money into infrastructure projects to create jobs directly and to generate new economic activities. The bottom line is we need a package that actually provides the maximum stimulus for each dollar spent. We know what works. We have the data. We have history. We get the biggest bang for the buck, stimulus-wise, No. 1, by expanding food stamp benefits. That is the best. The second best way is by extending unemployment benefits. Third, immediately pumping money into infrastructure projects will employ people and create jobs. Let me discuss a few of the things that come under the jurisdiction of my Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. The package extends unemployment insurance for 7 weeks in all and 13 weeks in high unemployment areas. It temporarily increases food stamp benefits by 10 percent and includes an additional $450 million for the Women, Infants and Children's Program that goes to the lowest income people in America to get our kids started right in life. It provides $60 million for senior meals programs. It also provides $500 million for the weatherization program. Now, this is in addition to some of the money we have in the continuing resolution for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Now, get this, in the continuing resolution we have $5.1 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to low income and elderly, and $250 million for weatherization. Well, when you give $5.1 billion to low-income elderly for energy assistance, guess where that money goes. It goes up the chimney. Of course, people do need it. But we should be putting more emphasis on weatherization so they do not have to spend so much money on heating their homes year after year. We know that works, too. It provides jobs and it will help our seniors and our low-income folks cut down on their energy bills this winter and next year. That is why in stimulus we put in $500 million for weatherization programs. For every dollar spent on food stamps, according to Moody's Economy.com, we create $1.73 in new economic activity. That is the most of any of these. When food stamp recipients spend every penny of benefits they receive--they spend every penny on food which is produced, packaged, transported, and sold here in America, so that money has a multiplier effect here in our own economy and it also frees up more money for them to spend on housing, transportation, daycare--other things that stimulate the broader economy. That is why food stamps have such a great multiplier effect. The second, as I said, comes from extending unemployment benefits. At one level this is about fairness and compassion. Unemployed individuals desperately need the additional income. But on a second level, it also has a tremendous multiplier effect for the economy. Again, according to Moody's, for every dollar we spend on increasing unemployment benefits, we add $1.64 in new economic activity. Talking about the increase in energy prices for those with a low income, energy prices have increased by more than 22 percent this year, coming on the heels of a 17-percent increase in 2007. There is no question that Americans, especially those of modest incomes, low incomes, and the elderly, need assistance in paying their energy bills. They also need assistance in weatherizing their homes. A lot of low- income people live in housing that is poorly insulated and that needs to be weatherized. It will save them money. It will increase the value of their home, if they own it. This stimulus will provide that assistance. But it helps the whole economy and the environment as well. We also create hundreds of thousands of new jobs by investing in infrastructure projects, including $10.8 billion for building and repairing highways, bridges, mass transport, airports, Amtrak, schools. It includes $2 billion for school renovation and repairs, $500 million for Corps of Engineer projects such as flood control and environmental restoration. Let me tell you about the experience we have had in Iowa. In the last 10 years, we have been able to get about $127 million into Iowa for rebuilding and modernizing our schools--about $127 million. This has provided jobs, it has provided for new schools, schools that are better equipped for our students, but the figures come back and show us that $127 million has translated into over $1 billion of construction. What a great multiplier effect that has. We know schools need to be renovated all over America. That is in this stimulus package we are going to vote on here very shortly; money to rebuild and modernize our schools all over this country. We have $2 billion for that. Think about the multiplier effect. If that is about the same, that $2 billion could translate to somewhere, I would say, conservatively speaking, between $10 billion and $20 billion in construction in this country to rebuild and modernize our schools. Next, the package looks out for rural America, where I happen to live. It includes $792 million in grants and loans for the construction of community facilities, everything from hospitals to city buildings in small towns of less than 20,000. It will provide over $500 million in loans and grants for rural water and wastewater improvements. We have a huge backlog of needed projects that are ready to go, but no money to pay for it. It is critical to the health and well-being of people who live in rural America. This bill also provides up to $3.4 billion in loans and loan guarantees for single-family homes in rural areas. There is a huge backlog of infrastructure projects. Many of them are already on the books ready to go. Again, a lot of what I am talking about will probably be funded and built sometime in the future. We are not going to continue to let our schools deteriorate into nothing. So why not do it now, when unemployment is going up; when people on the bottom are hurting because of increased energy prices, fuel prices, food prices; when a lot of their housing values are going down? Isn't this the time to get the jobs that are needed in America? There is another item in this bill and that goes to the safety and security of Americans. This stimulus also provides $490 million for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants to make up for the devastating cuts that were made last year as a result of President Bush's vetoes and veto threats. I have been leading the effort to restore this funding. It is absolutely critical for law enforcement, and especially for Iowa law enforcement. In 2007, in Iowa alone, the Byrne Grant-supported task forces seized illegal drugs valued at more than $31 million and netted more than 2,000 criminal convictions. They responded to over 260 clandestine labs. Mr. President, 85 percent of Iowa's drug cases originated from these task forces. It is not only on the enforcement side but it is on the rehabilitation side that these grants were used. Over 560 drug offenders received treatment in Iowa to get them off it and get them started back on the right path again. Again, Iowa law enforcement agencies are struggling to maintain crucial law programs in the wake of last year's cuts. This funding in the stimulus would allow them to pick up and redouble their efforts against crime and drugs. The two last things I want to mention are the area of biomedical research, public health, and job training. In the stimulus package, funding for the National Institutes of Health is included--$1.2 billion. Why did we put that in there? Because the funding for the National Institutes of Health has declined in real terms by over 10 percent in the last 5 years. What has happened is we are losing cutting-edge biomedical research, we are losing a generation of talented scientists who can pursue treatments and cures. This $1.2 billion in the stimulus for NIH will be sufficient to fund approximately 3,300 new research grants in the areas such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart disease. Senator Arlen Specter and I worked very hard, along with others here, to double the funding of NIH between 1998 and 2003. We did it. We got it up and we got it up so it would be on the level where it was 20 years ago. Since 2001, as I have said, we have fallen down 10 percent in real terms. It is shameful what we are doing to the National Institutes of Health. This package also provides $905 million for public health to enhance our Nation's preparedness against bioterrorism and to improve our preparedness in the event of an influenza pandemic. This package includes $300 million for employment and training activities for dislocated workers. It will help more than 79,000 people receive services including job search, career counseling, and training. As Senator Durbin said, these are people on the bottom of the pyramid. You can give all that money you want to Wall Street, it isn't going to help these people. What helps these people is job search, career counseling, and job retraining to give them the skills they need to work. The bill includes $300 million for youth employment and training programs. Right now the unemployment rate for teenagers has reached historic highs this year--historic, the jobless rate. It is now one of the worst employment environments for teenagers since World War II. More than 80,000 teenagers would receive services under the stimulus package. We have all been reading about how the economy is at a dangerous inflection point. The financial and credit crisis, falling house prices, foreclosures, rising unemployment, rising prices for food and energy--all of these things kind of hitting at the same time, threatening to plunge our economy into a deep recession. Certainly we do have to act to shore up our financial system. But we have to do some other things in the broader economy. We need to extend a helping hand to those Americans hardest hit by this broken economy, a generous helping hand. Boy, are we going to extend a generous helping hand to Wall Street. From everything I am reading, it looks as though the Congress is about to do that. But the purpose of the Reid-Byrd economic recovery package is to also extend a helping hand to those at the bottom. It addresses the urgent needs of working Americans. It is well crafted to deliver maximum economic stimulus to the economy. We are going to be voting on this, I guess. By an agreement, it takes 60 votes. It will probably get over 50 votes, but I am told, because of the opposition of the Republican side, we will not get 60 votes. What a shame. I hope I am wrong. I hope what I have heard and what I have read is wrong. I hope, when we have this vote on the stimulus, Senators will come here and say: Look, if we are going to be called on to bail out Wall Street and the financial services and we are not even going to put a limit on how much income they can make, we can't help these people who are at the bottom of that pyramid? If that happens, that we do bail out Wall Street and the financial services industry and we don't take care of people at the bottom, the gap between the rich and the poor will get wider and wider in our country, the cynicism of people toward their Government will grow, and it will be well-founded cynicism--that somehow we are here only to help those at the top, that only if we put more into the top it will trickle down--the same old trickledown economics I have been fighting against all my public life. It is the same theory, that you give it at the top and it trickles down. Later on we are going to be discussing more about the bailout. But I couldn't help but read the paper this morning about the so-called bailout. I thought this was interesting. It said the critics of this so-called bailout package can be roughly divided into two camps. One group thinks money should go directly infused to banks, which would then allow it to trickle down to borrowers. A second group thinks the Government should buy individual mortgages, help ordinary Americans more directly, and let the benefits trickle up to the banks. I favor methods that directly help average Americans. We know from past experience going clear back to the New Deal that when you put money in at the bottom, you get the biggest bang for the buck and it does trickle up, it helps our own economy. That is why food stamps have the biggest multiplier effect, because you are getting the people at the bottom. But you put in things up at the top and it trickles down, by the time everybody takes their cut, it never quite gets down to help people at the bottom. The plan that is out floating around-- ``The plan is a trickle-down approach from banks to Main Street,'' said Alan S. Blinder, a professor at Princeton University. ``But if you reduce the flood of foreclosures and defaults''--which he would have the government do by buying loans directly, then renegotiating the terms--``it will make mortgage-backed securities worth more.'' That might help ordinary Americans, but it would be difficult to administrate. Difficult to administer? I don't think so. It might be a little more difficult than giving a bushel basket of money to Wall Street--yes, that is easy. But because something is a little more difficult, should that be an argument why we should not do it? The article goes on: ``There is a kind of suggestion in the Paulson proposal that if only we provide enough money to financial markets, this problem will disappear,'' said Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel prize winning economist. But that does nothing to address the fundamental problem of bleeding foreclosures and the holes in the balance sheets of banks. Now, again, everything is being rushed here. Everything is being rushed on the bailout. ``We have got to do it now. Now. Now. We have got to do it yesterday.'' Ten days ago this was not as big a problem. Quite frankly, Mr. Paulson--with Mr. Bernanke, but Mr. Paulson came out and said the sky is falling, thus sort of putting out there a self-fulfilling prophecy. In fact, I would go so far as to say the credit crunch we see happening in America today, the drying up of credit, is happening in part because of Mr. Paulson's statements, scaring everybody that the sky is falling. Yet it was Mr. Paulson who has been there for 2 years and 3 months and has been saying that ``things are fine.'' As late as May of this year, Secretary Paulson said--I do not have the exact quote in front of me, but basically: The credit crunch, the worst is behind us. Well, I have to ask, was he wrong for 2 years and right now or right for 2 years and wrong now? Nevertheless, his posture of last week of raising the stakes, scaring everyone, has put everyone in a kind of panic mode. As I said, 10 days ago, 2 weeks ago, no one was in a panic mode; credit was flowing. Things were a little tight, but it was flowing. But once he pushed the stakes out, all of those poker chips out there, and said the Government has to come in right now, put in $700 billion with no strings attached, all of a sudden people said: Well, I am going to slow down. I am going to kind of hold my money back. I am not going to be buying some of that paper out there until I see what the Government is going to do. Mr. Paulson, by using his position, has created kind of a panic situation in this country. Now, does that mean we have to respond to that by panicking? I don't think so. You know, when people such as Mr. Paulson and others--and I bear him no ill will at all, but when people like that say that things are fine and the worst is behind us, and then all of a sudden they tell us the sky is falling, doomsday, Armageddon is here, I think that is the time to sort of sit back, take a deep breath, and let us work this thing through. I would proffer that the most important thing we can do is not rush to judgment on this bailout but do it right, do it in a way that will provide for long-term economic benefits in this country, not just some short-term bailout. Again, I would quote Alan Blinder, former member of the Federal Reserve, distinguished economist: I totally disagree that this needs to be done this week. It's more important to get it right. I agree with Professor Blinder; it is more important to get it right. Now I see the plan they are talking about--I was told yesterday the plan was going to be that they were going to put out like $250 billion right away, with another $100 billion he could access if he wanted to; and then before he could get the other $300 or $350 billion, they would come to Congress and we would have to then authorize and appropriate it. Oh, no. Now what I read is much different from that. We are going to give him $250 billion, another $100 billion they can access without any questions, and then the other $300 or $350 billion they can use without ever coming to Congress to ask for it, but we get 30 days to say they cannot use it. Well, you know what that is like. That is never going to happen. That is never going to happen. And if Mr. Paulson says they are not going to spend the $700 billion right away, they might use $50 billion next month and then $50 billion the next month--it seems to me what we need to do is to let the American people know that the Congress, is not going to let the economic system go under. So what we do is we might put out $200 billion, $250 billion, make sure. We should definitely cap executive pay. If the Congress is going to kind of leave it up to the Secretary and leave it up to some board to decide what is fair compensation. And who is going to be on the board? Why, people from the industry. What a sweetheart deal that is going to be. I have to say that if people are coming to the Government and asking the taxpayers of this country to bail them out, that is like being on the Government payroll. And if they are going to be on the Government payroll, they ought not be paid any more than what Government employees are paid. I would even go as far as to say that they can get paid as much as the President, but they should not get paid any more than the President of the United States, period. But that is not what we are facing. Now, if they want to have a package that says: Okay, here is $250 billion, and they maybe can get another $100 billion, it ought to sunset in January or February, and the Congress ought to come back and see where we are, see how much more money we need, see if the compensation things have been working right, see if we are getting equity in these companies, and then let's have a more deliberate debate and consideration of what we might want to do in January or February when we come back. Well, we raised this with Mr. Paulson the other evening, and he was adamant: No, we have to have the $700 billion. We have to have it all now because that will give the confidence to the market that we have enough money to buy all of this worthless paper. Well, what about the Congress giving some assurances to the American people that we are going to be here, we are going to give them some money, but we want to make sure they do it right, folks. We are going to guard the taxpayers' dollars. And yes, we will be back in January; yes, we will be back here in February; if we need to do more, we can do more then but in a more deliberative manner than what we are being rushed to do now before an election. Lastly, there are a couple of other things I must say about this bailout. You know, if a company comes in--let's say they are facing bankruptcy and they come into an investment bank to get help. Do you think the bank will just give them money? Oh, you need money? What it is you want? We will give it to you. The bank is going to want to see their books, not just their balance sheet, they want to know how they got in that situation, what kinds of models they used to buy their securities to get to that point where they are right now, and what their valuation may be. Well, I suggested to Mr. Paulson that we should do that to every one of those investments firms that comes in. If they come in and they are putting their bids in to sell their securities, if I understand, in a reverse-auction kind of a system, and they want the taxpayers to buy this questionable security or whatever it might be, well, it would seem to me that one of the conditions ought to be that they open their books, that we get to see exactly what it was they used in deciding how they decided how much to pay for that investment. What got them to this point? I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of them do not want us to know that because, quite frankly--and I will say this very frankly and forthrightly--I think there was a lot of accounting fraud going on. I am selling to you, you sell to me, I sell to you, and every time, we can make a profit on it. Well, that doesn't really work, folks. But it seems to me that a lot of that was going on. But we need to know. Yet I see nothing in this bailout plan that will mandate that we have independent auditors go in and really understand what the government will be getting for its money. What were their internal models, their proprietary models that they used in conducting their business? We need to know that. Quite frankly, I do not see that in this bailout. Lastly, we have to make sure there is no arbitrage going on where you have people from foreign countries or hedge funds dumping near worthless papers into banks later on--later on, in January and February and March--and we keep filling the swamp buying near worthless paper. I do not see anything in this bailout plan that will stop that either. So, again, I did not mean to get off too much on the bailout plan. I will have more to say about that later. I wanted to make my point that we are going to be voting on a stimulus package that will go out to help people on the bottom of the economic pyramid, to help them get through the winter, to give them jobs, to build schools, to get infrastructure projects going. This is $56 billion. That is compared to a $1 trillion we are going to be asked to spend on the bailout if you include what we have already done. About 5 percent of what they are asking us to do for Wall Street, we are saying let's do for Main Street America. That is the least we can do. There is one thing I also wanted to add. I have heard rumors that they might want to put the bailout plan on the continuing resolution. I can tell you nothing would be worse, nothing could be worse than to try to put the bailout on the continuing resolution to keep our Government going. The continuing resolution provides money that is needed for disaster assistance, for the military, for our veterans. I hope that is just a rumor. I hope that does not happen, as an appropriator and as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. As I said, I still have not made up my mind on the bailout. We will see how it develops. But the one thing is, if there are efforts to put it on the CR, it will cause great problems.

Mr. HARKIN

Mr. HARKIN. Exactly.

Mr. HARKIN

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 Alburnett 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 Alburnett Community School District received a 2005 Harkin grant totaling $500,000 which it is using to help expand and renovate the high school facility. Although parts of the construction project are still under way, this school will be a modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits the educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, this is the kind of school that every child in America deserves. The district also received a fire safety grant in 2002 totaling $50,000 which was used to construct a fire wall and repair existing exit signs. 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 Alburnett Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--president Barry Woodson, Mike Olinger, Dee Luedtke, Cindy Francois, David Kirk and Rhonda Lange, and former board president Duane Bolton and vice president Cregg Smith. I would also like to recognize the leadership of superintendent Mike Harrold and former superintendent Angel Melendez. 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 Alburnett 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.

Mr. HARKIN

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 Belmond- Klemme 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 Belmond-Klemme Community School District received a 2005 Harkin grant totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a new elementary school. This new school is part of the district's goal to modernize schools in the district which will include renovating the high school. The new elementary school is a modern, state-of-the-art 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. The district also received fire safety grants totaling $100,000 to install new fire alarms, to update electrical wiring and to make other safety improvements in schools 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 Belmond-Klemme Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Jim Swenson, Dennis Lowenberg, Claude Post, Steve Tenold, Mark Jenison, Lynn Loux and Curt Stadtlander and former board members Jodi Pentico, Kevin Brunes and the late Stan Olsen. I would also like to recognize superintendent Larry Frakes, interim superintendent Dave Sextro, grant writer Trish Morris, maintenance director Steve Dougherty, the committee supporting passage of the bond referendum and Richard O. Jacobson for his generous financial contribution to the district. 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 Belmond-Klemme 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.

Mr. HARKIN

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 Bedford 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 Bedford Community School District received several Harkin fire safety grants totaling $174,000 which it used to improve fire safety systems and included such things as emergency lighting and exit doors, new wiring and other electrical improvements, heat detectors, and sprinkler systems. The auditorium which was built in 1926 was renovated and the grant was used to update the wiring, install heat detectors and replace exit doors. The district had been cited by the State Fire Marshall for severe deficiencies in fire safety. 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 superintendent Joe Drake and the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Bedford Community School District. In particular, I'd like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--president Tony Brown, Layne Thornton, Mike Irvin, Ed Hensley, Jack Spencer and Rodger Ritchie. District staff who were helpful in the grant application and implementation process were business manager Sharon Hart, grant writer Paul Boysen, and buildings and grounds supervisor Dan Walston. 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 Bedford 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.

Mr. HARKIN

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 Jesup 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 Jesup Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant totaling $1 million which it used to help build a new school to serve students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. This school is a modern, state-of-the-art 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. The district also received $71,800 in fire safety grants. 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 Jesup Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Staci Brown, Fritz Demuth, Leonard Harting, Roxanne Masteller, Lisa Riensche, Jim Phillips and Todd Rohlfsen and former board members Gin Vogel, Kevin McCombs, Brenda Schmit, Dawn Quackenbush and Larry Thompson. I would also like to recognize superintendent Sarah Pinion, former superintendent Terry Christie, board secretary Mary Anne Harrold and the individuals involved with the Vote Yes Committee. 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 Jesup 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.

Mr. HARKIN

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 Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls Community School District received four Harkin grants totaling $1,481,178. A 1999 grant for $393,466 which was used to help build classroom additions at Hansen Elementary and at Southdale Elementary; a 2000 grant for $487,712 which helped build Cedar Heights Elementary and a 2001 grant for $500,000 for an addition and renovations at Cedar Falls 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 2005 fire safety grant for $100,000 to install fire alarms systems at Peet Junior High School, Holmes Junior High School and Cedar Falls High School. 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 Cedar Falls Community School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of education Deon Senchina, Dr. James Kenyon, Dan Battcher, Joyce Coil, Duane Hamilton, Susan Lantz and Richard Vande Kieft and former board members Marlene Behn and Tom Reisetter. I would also like to recognize former superintendent Dr. Dan Smith, former business manager Dr. Craig Hansel, Hansen principal Dr. Tony Reid, former high school principal Dean Dreyer, former Cedar Heights principal Chris Smith and former Southdale principal Tom Galligan. 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 Cedar Falls 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.