October 2, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10479 Community School District. In par- cilities. In many cases, this Federal after serving with the United States ticular, I would like to recognize the funding is used to leverage public and/ Army for 2 years. He continued his leadership of the board of education, or private local funding, so it often has service in the National Guard for 18 president Harm Eggena III, vice presi- a tremendous multiplier effect in a more years, retiring in 2005. Lynn has dent Angie Johnson, Bea Volk, Tim local school district. served in various positions within the Trettin, and Wendy Fullerton, and The West Des Moines Community VA system, most recently as the Vet- former members, Rick Demaray, Scott School District received two Harkin erans Service Center Manager at the Woodruff, Gary O’Connor, Terri Engels, fire safety grants totaling $332,011 Sioux Falls VA Regional Office. Ann Sullivan, Bill Dolan, Lisa Paulus, which it used to make fire safety re- During his tenure with the VA, Lynn and Pat Rooney. I would also like to pairs at the Walnut Creek Campus and has been an invaluable resource for recognize superintendent Steve Ward, at Fairmeadows Elementary School. veterans and their families. He has pro- former superintendent Gary Schwartz, The Federal grants have made it pos- vided important counsel and advice to director of buildings and grounds Norm sible for the district to provide quality VA officials, veterans service officers Kelly, board secretary Janice Kuhlers, and safe schools for their students. and congressional members and their Neil Fullerton, and Neil Wedeking. Excellent schools do not just pop up staff on a range of issues. Throughout As we mark the 10th anniversary of like mushrooms after a rain. They are his time with the VA, he has seen the Harkin school grant program in the product of vision, leadership, per- many changes in the system and was Iowa, I am obliged to point out that sistence, and a tremendous amount of able to address the ever changing needs many thousands of school buildings collaboration among local officials and and concerns of veterans and their fam- and facilities across the United States concerned citizens. I salute the entire ilies. are in dire need of renovation or re- staff, administration, and governance I have appreciated Lynn’s willingness placement. In my State of Iowa alone, in the West Des Moines Community to take the time to answer questions according to a recent study, some 79 School District. In particular, I would and concerns from my staff members. I percent of public schools need to be up- like to recognize the leadership of the commend his dedication and commit- ment to making sure every veteran’s graded or repaired. The harsh reality is board of education—president Mark case or question was always handled in that the average age of school build- Lyons, vice president Terry Tobin, Bar- a timely manner. Lynn can take great ings in the United States is nearly 50 bara Burnett, Jill Hansen, Susan pride in his work during his Federal years. Moritz, Tom Suckow, and H. Milton Too often, our children visit ultra- Cole, and former board members Jim service career. In his retirement, he will spend more time fishing at his modern shopping malls and gleaming Aipperspach, Jane Fogg, Curt Lack, lake home in Big Stone. I wish Lynn, sports arenas on weekends but during Pete Leo, John Paule, Jeanne Taylor, his wife Debbie, and their family all the week go to school in rundown or John Ambroson, Gretchen Tegeler, and the best in retirement. It is with great antiquated facilities. This sends ex- Deb Thomas. I would also like to recog- honor that I share his impressive ac- actly the wrong message to our young nize superintendent Tom Narak, complishments with my colleagues, people about our priorities. We have to former superintendent Les Omotani, and I thank him for his service to this do better. former associate superintendent Galen Nation and its veterans.∑ That is why I am deeply grateful to Howsare. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the professionals and parents in the f the Harkin school grant program in Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Commu- BLUE WATER CREEK MASSACRE Iowa, I am obliged to point out that nity School District. There is no ques- many thousands of school buildings ∑ Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today tion that a quality public education for and facilities across the United States I wish to speak in regards to the Blue every child is a top priority in that are in dire need of renovation or re- Water Creek Massacre of 1855. On Sep- community. I salute them and wish placement. In my State of Iowa alone, tember 3, 1855, while camped near the them a very successful new school Blue Water Creek in present day Ne- ∑ according to a recent study, some 79 year. percent of public schools need to be up- braska, a group of Lakota were at- f graded or repaired. The harsh reality is tacked by COL William S. Harney and WEST DES MOINES COMMUNITY that the average age of school build- his troops. According to Army records, EDUCATION ings in the United States is nearly 50 86 Lakota were killed and 70 captured. The Battle of Blue Water Creek is also ∑ Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa years. Too often, our children visit ultra- known as the Battle of Ash Hollow or and across the United States, a new modern shopping malls and gleaming the Harney Massacre according to the school year has begun. As you know, sports arenas on weekends but during Nebraska State Historical Society, Iowa public schools have an excellent the week go to school in rundown or which maintains a historical marker, reputation nationwide, and Iowa stu- antiquated facilities. This sends ex- along U.S. 26, 11⁄2 miles west of dents’ test scores are among the high- actly the wrong message to our young Lewellen, NE. est in the Nation. people about our priorities. We have to There are several historical accounts I would like to take just a few min- do better. of what transpired that day in 1855 and utes today to salute the dedicated That is why I am deeply grateful to the Little Thunder Tiospaye contacted teachers, administrators, and school the professionals and parents in the me because they seek to commemorate board members in the West Des Moines West Des Moines Community School and to preserve for future generations Community School District and to re- District. There is no question that a the history surrounding Mni To port on their participation in a unique quality public education for every Wakpala—Blue Water Creek. They are Federal partnership to repair and mod- child is a top priority in that commu- the direct lineal descendants of ernize school facilities. nity. I salute them and wish them a Wakinyan Cikala—Little Thunder—a This fall marks the 10th year of the very successful new school year.∑ man who was amongst the leaders of Iowa Demonstration Construction f that Lakota camp destroyed 153 years Grant Program. That is its formal ago. Additional leaders who survived name, but it is better known among RETIREMENT OF LYNN that morning include Iron Shell, Spot- educators in Iowa as the program of CARPENTER ted Tail, and Red Leaf, each of whom Harkin grants for Iowa public schools. ∑ Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today also bore lineal descendants living Since 1998, I have been fortunate to se- I recognize and commend the service of upon Sicangu territories today. cure a total of $121 million for the Lynn Carpenter of South Dakota. Mr. According to the family, oral history State government in Iowa, which se- Carpenter is retiring from the Depart- passed down through generations tells lects worthy school districts to receive ment of Veterans Affairs after over 34 the story of the younger Little Thun- these grants for a range of renovation years of honorable service to the agen- der, a boy who survived the Massacre and repair efforts—everything from up- cy. and subsequently journeyed to join his dating fire safety systems to building Lynn began his career with the De- relatives once again. Without his sur- new schools or renovating existing fa- partment of Veterans Affairs in 1974 vival, the Little Thunder Tiospaye VerDate Aug 31 2005 06:33 Oct 03, 2008 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G02OC6.012 S02OCPT1 rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with SENATE S10480 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 2, 2008 would not exist today. I would like to City and New York City would lose out Looking at the face of an Alaska Na- recognize their work as they seek to on a strong and dedicated labor pool of tive Elder is like looking at the con- honor their ancestors by collecting his- New Jersey workers. George garnered centric rings in the trunk of a tree. torical accounts, and locating impor- critical early support for the new tun- Every line on that face represents a tant artifacts from this time in his- nel project from both sides of the river, precious slice of Alaska history. tory. Accordingly, the Lakota lan- a feat acknowledged by many experts It would be a vast understatement to guage includes an expression that fits as vital to the project. characterize the Elders as witnesses to their mission: Hecel lena Oyate kin George Warrington also listened to Alaska history. They are the living em- nipi kte, so that our people may live.∑ passengers and employees, a critical bodiment of Alaska’s history.