[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 23 (Thursday, February 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          KNOXVILLE RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 1997

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to the attention of my 
colleagues and to the readers of the Record a resolution passed by the 
Knoxville City Council. This resolution, R-384-96, endorses a balanced 
budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. R-384-96 was sponsored by 
City Councilman Gary Underwood and forwarded to my attention by the 
mayor of Knoxville, Victor Ashe.
  This resolution is yet another example of the widespread support for 
a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. The reasons and 
clearly thought out practical examples expressed in R-384-96 are held 
by hundreds of thousands of Americans across our Nation.
  For many years our national Government was dominated by those with a 
very liberal mindset, and there was little serious interest in 
attempting to balance our budget. In fact, we have not balanced it 
since 1969, and huge annual deficits have resulted in a $5 trillion 
national debt today. If we do not put a stop to this madness, we will 
absolutely destroy the standard of living of our children and 
grandchildren.
  While I wish we did not need a balanced budget amendment, I agree 
with the Knoxville city council that if one is not enacted, we may 
never balance the budget. Historically, we simply have not done a good 
job in limiting Federal programs and reducing waste. There are 435 
Members in the House who have their own funding priorities, another 100 
Senators who have their own, and of course, the President also has his 
funding preferences. It becomes very difficult to reach an agreement on 
the budget if we do not set absolute caps which place funding 
limitations on Federal spending.
  This issue is once again being debated in the 105th Congress, and I 
am proud to be a cosponsor of House Joint Resolution 1, which would 
provide an amendment to the Constitution requiring a balanced budget.
  Our Federal deficit is one of the most serious concerns facing our 
Nation. If we bring Government spending under control and deregulate 
our economy, it could boom for many years to come. Times are good now 
for some people, but they could and should be good for almost everyone. 
We could really reduce the gap between the rich and the poor if we 
could decrease the power and cost of our government at all levels, but 
especially at the Federal level.
  I request that a copy of the attached resolution passed by the 
Knoxville city council be placed in the Record at this point. I hope 
that my colleagues will join the Knoxville city council and me in 
supporting House Joint Resolution 1, the balanced budget amendment.

                               Resolution

       A resolution of the Council of the City of Knoxville urging 
     the U.S. Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment to the 
     United States Constitution.
       Whereas, the City of Knoxville, Knox County, and the State 
     of Tennessee balance their budgets annually; and
       Whereas, Knoxville families must balance their budgets; and
       Whereas, a balanced federal budget would reduce interest 
     rates, thereby helping home owners and buyers; and
       Whereas, Congress should set an example for the citizens 
     who elect them by being fiscally responsible; and
       Whereas, last year the Balanced Budget Constitutional 
     Amendment failed by only one vote in the United States 
     Senate; and
       Whereas, Congress appears incapable of balancing our 
     national budget without a constitutional requirement; and
       Whereas, this proposed constitutional amendment is 
     supported by Congressman John Duncan, Congressman Zack Wamp, 
     Congressman Van Hilleary, and by Senator Bill Frist and 
     Senator Fred Thompson.
       Now therefore be it resolved by the Council of the City of 
     Knoxville:
       Section 1: The City Council of the City of Knoxville urges 
     in the strongest possible terms that Congress pass a Balanced 
     Budget Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of 
     America.
       Section 2: The City Recorder for the City of Knoxville is 
     hereby directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to the 
     Tennessee members of the U.S. Congress.
       Section 3: This Resolution shall take effect from and after 
     its passage, the public welfare requiring it.

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