Tom Harkin: “I do speak strongly in favor of the underlying Robb amendment of which I am a cosponsor. Senator Robb has it right when…”

“I do speak strongly in favor of the underlying Robb amendment of which I am a cosponsor. Senator Robb has it right when he tries to invest in rebuilding and modernizing our public schools. States and local communities are struggling right now to renovate existing schools. School construction and modernization is necessary for our kids in the 21st century. The average school in America right now, as Senator Robb said, is 42 years old. Technology is placing new demands on our schools. As a result of increased use of technology, many schools must install new wiring, telephone lines, and electrical assistance. The demand for the Internet is at an all-time high, but in the Nation's poorest schools only 39 percent of classrooms have Internet access. The American Society of Civil Engineers reported that public schools are in worst condition than any other sector of our national infrastructure. This is an alarming fact.”