i'm glad is coming back this fall, to start having the conversation, do you think our thation should have a balanced budget amendment to the constitution? let's initiate a conversation where i think i know where the american people are, but let's give it a shot and find out where their legislators are and say to the states, where are you and where are we as a nationism appreciate the gentleman from arizona and yield back my time. mr. franks: i thank the gentleman, mr. speaker. i would just say, mr. speaker, in listening to mr. lankford's comments, he is one great encouragement to many of us. he's living proof that the cavalry a have arrived and he is an example of why this debate has changed and i'm very grateful for his presence in the united states congress and i hope he's here a very long time. with that, i seek to yield to the gentleman from iowa, mr. king, for such time as he might consume. i might ask the speaker what the time remaining is at this point.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman has about 13 minutes remaining. mr. franks: about 13 minutes remaining. i'm hoping to yield to the gentleman eight minutes or something along those lines. mr. king: i thank the gentleman from arizona for leading on this special order and all my colleagues who have come to the floor on this balanced budget amendment. i want to point a few things out as to where this sits. the chairman of the committee standing before me, mr. franks, has presided over the shaping of a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget. i certainly favor the one offered by bob goodlatte and marked up in the judiciary committee, it took three full days over a couple of weeks trying to find the time to get this to work out. i want to express, mr. speaker, that a balanced budget amendment that's written by someone who doesn't believe in a balanced budget amendment probably isn't going to yield the result we all want from that amendment.

and the worst case scenario would be the drafting and passage of a balanced budget amendment that would be the constitutional equivalent of pay-go. you could draft a balanced budget amendment that would say, thou shall balance the budget and not put provisions in there such as a cap on g.d.p. or supermajority required to raise taxes or supermajority required to raise the debt limit. and if it were just the barest of bones, the bare minimum of the definition of a balanced budget amendment that could be a balanced budget amendment that would allow the majority of the house of representatives and allow a majority vote of the senate to waive the balanced budget amendment that would be the amendment equivalent of pay-go, pay-as-you-go, waive it or raise taxes in order to calculate that you balanced it. i would caution that we need to do a prudent job of promoting a balanced budget amendment and

continually defining that balanced budget amendment to be something that gives us fiscal responsibility. i'll go more deeply into this perhaps in a half-hour or so but i wanted to also add that this legislation that has passed through the house of representatives, and i'm as joyous and delighted that gabbie giffords was able to cast a -- gabbie giffords was able -- gabby giffords was able to cast a vote on this kay as perhaps anybody except her family and close friends. it's a feeling of great pleasure and gratitude and thanks that she can walk into this place and do that. so -- but here's the point i wanted to make, mr. speaker. and that is that if we do

nothing, if we had not addressed this debt ceiling and dialed this spending curve down, in 10 years from now, this is what the lack of a balanced budget amendment will do. in 10 years from now, we would be, our national debt, our debt that we addressed today that's about $14.3 trillion would be $28 trillion in 10 years if we just go along business as usual and the -- and the projections of the march baseline are projected out for a decade as we do. $28 trillion in debt. if we accept the, i'll call it the boehner proposal that passed the house here today because the numbers in it reflect the first boehner bill of last friday, then this bill would pass the house today, our national debt still if this bill, effectively turns this spending increase down in the way it's supposed to and the deficit down, we're going to be looking at $26 trillion in our debt anyway in 10 years by

2021. $26 trillion. we've gone from when we got up this morning of $28 trillion in debt in 2021, dialed it down to $26 trillion. if we just held the line on the ryan budget, we'd have dialed it down to $23 trillion and i'm not satisfied with that. when i see a budget that came out that balances in 26 years, we backed up some on that, i think we need to be stronger, not weaker, i think we need to step up and advocate and take tease -- take these next few months to tell america on the idea, selling the people who don't believe we should ever live under a balanced budget that we must do so. as i sat for those three days while we debated and marked up this balanced budget amendment, we see things, as i said, a 3/5 supermajority to waive the balance or 3/5 to raise the debt ceiling or 2/3 to raise

the debt ceiling g.d.p. cap or 2/3 to increase taxes, all those things, and it requires the president to offer a balanced budget and allows the balanced budget requirement to be waived if we declare war or are in a national emergency that's significant if we don't do those things, we're in perpetual debt and the people on the other side of the aisle who debated against the balanced budget amendment convinced me they never want to live under a balanced budget unless it's the confiscation of all the money in this land, which would suppress the economy and eventually kill the goose that lays the golden egg. $28 trillion is the projected, that's the projected national debt in 10 years. the bill that passed today takes it down to $26 trillion. ryan took it to to $23 trillion, but we've lost a little bit of that leverage here today but the people on the other side and the president has convinced me also, he never wants to live

under a plansed budget and certainly doesn't want to have a constitution that would order that that be so. so what do the american people have to say about people who are committed to deficit spending in perpetuity, what do they think happens? where do they think america gos if we take our hands off of their rollback on the reens and the spending goes on and we borrow the money to fill all the wants of the american people for now and what happens to our children and grandchildren when they have to service that debt or when the roof caves in when no one will loan us money anymore and we mega greece. it came to a head today, it's a long ways from over, this is a start, it's not the end, it's just a start. i thank the gentleman from arizona and yield back. mr. franks: i thank the gentleman from iowa, one of my most beloved friends in this institution, he is a true

statesman. . it's off even said that the politician looks to the next election but the statesman look to the next generation. as it were, we need to plant shade trees under whose shade we will never do ourselves. we will make a difference. and and if i could relate the words of samuel adams and he said let us con temperature plathe our pros tert and resolve do maintain the rights from the former for the sake of the latter. more than ever, it calls for our utmost deliberation, fortitude and perseverance and those words are true because i truly believe

that right now we are about planting trees under whose shade we will never sit ourselves but i truly believe if we work hard to pass the balanced budget amendment that we will do great things because oftentimes i find people see the balanced budget amendment to constrain our ability to meet the needs of government. the fact is, mr. speaker, a balanced budget will do several things. first of all, it will not only help government meet certain needs but help people no longer need government, it will expand government -- it will not expand government. we don't need more tax increases but more taxpayers. but nothing will help our government than the revenue but a balanced budget amendment will

cause debate as to what is government's role and what is the private sector's role because oftentimes the difference between this country and other countries is that our constitution changeed down governments and our constitution chooses to mag any file the individual. and we sometimes forget what it's all about. you know, i know there is a lot of sincere people on both sides of the issue, but i would say we have a chance to move forward from this debate and realize that our eyes are open and we see the problem. and sometimes there is a moment where it is big enough to be seen and still small enough to be solved and that woipped is closing upon all of us and we have the opportunity to sow the seeds by putting a balanced

budget amendment. we can't pass it ours its 6789 we can put it to the states and say you decide whether we need one or not. if we do our part, they will do theirs. it was said, government is a great fiction to which everyone wishes to live at everyone else. this idea of social idsed government sounds real good, while the truth says market-driven freedom is the wealth, and this is the -- nothing has driven more poor people out of than freedom and free enterprise and a balanced budget amendment will

re-invigorate and by the grace of god i hope we proceed and i join with my friends the that tass time to put my country back on track and to understand on our parts that if we do what we can in america's best days are still ahead. and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does -- under the speaker's announced policy of january 5, 2011, the gentleman from illinois, mr. jackson is recognized as the designee of the minority leader. mr. jackson: tonight or in the very near future, i want everyone in the sound much my voice to voice or reread dr. martin luther king's speech "i

have a dream speech" a bounced check speech. i often thought, i wonder what his speech would sound like if he were here to give it. i don't know what dr. would say. i really don't. but i thought it would be challenging to go through his speech, change it as little as possible but insert my own thoughts how i thought dr. king's speech might have sounded if it were given today. after all on august 27, we will dedicate the king memorial here in washington, d.c., the day before his historic anniversary of the "i have a dream" speech on august 28, my colleagues have now departed this institution for the august recess to return

to their homes far and near. i thought it would be appropriate that the final speech delivered after this debate would give reference and reference to the insight to martin luther king junior. and i thought after the deal that was passed today in the congress it would be appropriate. so tonight, i want to try and give what some might call an updated virgs of his "speech. i make no pretense that my par phrased version of dr. king's speech does his original version any justice but the following is my version after reflecting upon today's brugget deal. par photograph is "i have a dream speech" and those of you

who are listening to the sound of my voice, you might want to go on the internet and actually find the true text of dr. king's speech and compare it to my exercise. especially in light of today's bucket deficits, cumulative deficit and the need to fight for jobs, education, health care, housing, equal rights for women, renewable energy, and the fundamental right to vote. dr. king might have delivered this speech. i would have been happy today to join with those willing to take a balanced approach to budget cuts and revenue enhancements to bring about the great debt reduction along with the full massive employment plan in the history of our nation. but that is not what the

president and congressional leaders negotiated. on september 17, 1787, 39 great americans siped the u.s. constitution as witnesses. this did he creel came as a beacon of light as hope to millions of hope. it came as a joyous day break to end the long night of taxation without representation. but 224 years later, the american people are not free of deficits and debt. 224 years later, the life of many americans is crippled by many foreclosed homes and the schains of unemployment. 224 jeers, mr live on the island of poverty on the vast ocean of prosperity.

2245 years later, many americans languish in the corners of american society and find themselves exiles and we elected as president and congress personses to end this shameful condition. in a sention, the american people are looking to our nation's capital. they are looking to cash a check. when the architects wrote the words of the constitution and declaration of independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every american was to fall hire. all americans would be guaranteed the right of happiness. it is obvious that america has defaulted insofar as many of her citizens are concerned. congress has given many

americans a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds. the bank of justice is bankrupt. we refuse to believe there are insufficient funds in the great vault of opportunity in this nation. many americans are waiting to cash this check, a check that will give them upon demand the riches of fund and the security of a job and justice. they are looking to this president and this hallowed congress to remind congress of the fierce urgency of now. there is no time to look at the drug of gradualism. now is toe time to make the real promises of democracy and rise from the valley of unemployment to the path of full employment. now is the time to lift our

nation from the quicksands of inquality to the solid wealth of economic justice. now is the time to make full employment and social and economic justice a reality for all of god's children. this is summer of discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autism. 2011 is not an under by a beginning. and those who are blowing off steam and will be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual and there will be neither rest nor tran quilt until americans are granted their rights. it will shake the foundations of our america until justice emergeses.

but there is something that must be said for those who stand on the warm threshold that leads into the pal ace. in the process of imagining our rightful place we must not be guilty. let us not seek by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. we must conduct our struggle the high plain of discipline and not create our protest to go into vialance. we must meet forces with the force with unrelenting but disciplined determination. this has engulfed must not lead us into a distrust. for some politics and politicians are committed to full employment.

social and economic justice and some politicians realize that their destiny is tied up with their larger destiny. they have come to realize that their jobs are bound to americans also having jobs. we cannot walk alone. and as we walk, we must make the pledge that we should always marriage of he march ahead. there are those asking, when will you be satisfied? we can never be satisfied as long as the america cavern people are the victim of home for example. our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel cannot gain a job. we cannot be satisfied as long as the education of american's children leaving them uncompetitive in a new world

market. we never be satisfied as long as our health care system is ranked 37th in the world of the we cannot be satisfied as long as one person in america cannot vote or one american bleevets they have nothing with which to vote. no, we are not no, we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty spring. i am not unmindful that many americans are faces great trials and tribulations. some americans have been are-fused an adjustment to their mortgage which has left their family battered by the storms of home foreclosures and hurt by the winds of homelessness. continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. go forward in mississippi, go forward in vermont, go forward

in michigan, go forward in hawaii, go forward in oregon, go forward in florida, go forward in the ghettos and barrios of our cities and in appalachia, knowing that somehow this can and will be changed. do not wallow in the valley of despair. i still have a dream. it's a dream deeply rooted in the american dream. i have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed. we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. i have a dream that one day on the red hills of georgia, the son of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together around a table of brotherhood where full employment, high quality health care for all americans, excellence in education for every child an safe and sanitary affordable housing for every family is their natural

experience. i have a dream that one day, absent the false excuse of sweltering deaf silts and debt and the heat of economic injustice, america will be transformed into an oasis of full employment, freedom and economic justice. i have a dream that my two little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character and voting will be as natural as breathing and no trickery or legal obstacles will be thrown in their path. i have a dream today. i have a dream that one day over michigan, over in ohio, illinois, indiana, with its wicked unemployment and suffering families, that one day right there in michigan, ohio, illinois, indiana, all of these families will be able to enjoy full employment, social and economic justice and all will be able to join hands as brothers and sisters. i have a dream today.

i have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted and every hill and mountain shall be made low. the rough places will be made plain and the crooked places made straight. and the glory of the lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together. this is my hope. and this is the faith that i go forward with every day. with this faith, we will be able to hew out of a mountain of deficits and debt, a stone of economic hope and justice for all americans. with this faith, we will be able to transform the janging discourse of inemployment and home foreclosures into a beautiful symphony of full employment and affordable housing. with this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free and fully employed one day. and this will be the day that all of god's children will be

able to sing with new meaning, "my country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee i sing, land of where my father's died, land of the pilgrims' pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring." let freedom, full employment and the right of private and public workers to organize into unions to protect their interests ring from the prodigious hill tops of new hampshire. let freedom and public education of equal high quality for all of america's children ring from the mighty mountains of new york. let freedom ring and health care of equal high quality for all americans ring from the heightening alleghenies of pennsylvania. let freedom and a clean, safe, sustainable environment ring from the snow-capped rock yeeves colorado. let freedom ring with safe and

sanitary and affordable housing, from the cur vashese slopes of california. but not only that, let freedom and equal rights for women, for gays and lesbians, ring from stone mountain of georgia. let freedom, fair and progressive taxation ring from tennessee, let freedom and the right of everyone vote ring from every hill in mississippi, let freedom, social and economic justice ring throughout america. when this happens, when, my friends, we allow freedom, full employment, social and economic justice to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up the day when all of god's children, black men, white men, women, jews, gentiles and muslims, protestants and catholics, gays and straights, those who are

whole and those who are handicapped, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old negro spiritual, "free at last, free at last, thank god almighty, we are free at last." i want to remind everyone that i just finished giving my paraphrased version of what i thought dr. king might have said had he been alive today and witnessed this debate. especially in light of the budget cutting, the insufficient funds, the bounced check deal, that congress passed on this day. i tried to remain as faithful as possible to the original speech. simply filling in my own thoughts and ideas in the current context but i make no protense to have done justice to the original version. again, i urge my friends and my colleagues and all those who can hear my voice to read or reread dr. king's "i have a dream" speech at your earliest convenience. mr. speaker, it is in this

speech that dr. king delivers the economic substance of his expectations of democrats and republicans in the congress. america has issued all of us a bad check. it has come back marked insufficient funds but we refuse to believe that the great opportunity of this nation -- the great vaults of opportunity of this nation are bankrupt. if we can spend a billion dollars to put a man on the moon, if we can spend billions of dollars on a war of in after gap stan, billions on a war in iraq, spend tens of millions of dollars per week on a war in libya, then mr. speaker, this congress can find enough money to put a man on his own two feet right here in america. i have not given up on america and i hope we don't give up on america. mr. speaker, i yield back the balance of my time.