IA

103D CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. J. RES. 157

To designate September 13, 1993, as ‘‘Commodore John Barry Day’’.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 17, 1993

Mr. GILMAN (for himself, Mr. MANTON, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. BLUTE, Mr.

DORNAN, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr.

NEAL of Massachusetts, and Mr. TOWNS) introduced the following joint

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil

Service

JOINT RESOLUTION

To designate September 13, 1993, as ‘‘Commodore John

Barry Day’’.

Whereas the United States of America is a nation of immigrants and the contributions of Irish immigrants and

their descendants to the defense of the public liberty has

been a hallmark of Irish Americans;

Whereas during the War for Independence Captain John

Barry, a native of County Wexford, Ireland, achieved the

first victory for the Continental Navy while in command

of the ship ‘‘Lexington’’ by capturing the British ship

‘‘Edward’’, organizing General George Washington’s
2

HJ 157 IH

crossing of the Delaware River which led to the victory

at Trenton in 1776, transported gold from France to

America while in command of the ship ‘‘Alliance’’, and

achieved the last victory of the war for the Continental

Navy while in command of ‘‘Alliance’’ by defeating the

British ship HMS ‘‘Sybille’’;

Whereas during the War for Independence Captain John

Barry rejected British General Lord Howe’s offer to

desert the Continental Navy and join the British Navy,

stating: ‘‘Not the value and command of the whole British fleet can lure me from the cause of my country.’’;

Whereas after the War for Independence the United States

Congress recognized John Barry as the premier American naval hero of that war;

Whereas in 1787 Captain John Barry organized the compulsory attendance of members of the Pennsylvania Assembly in Philadelphia, thus ensuring the quorum necessary

to call a Convention and recommend the ratification of

the Constitution;

Whereas on June 14, 1794, pursuant to ‘‘Commission No.

1’’, President Washington commissioned John Barry as

commodore in the new United States Navy;

Whereas Commodore John Barry helped to build and lead

the new United States Navy which included his command

of the U.S.S. ‘‘United States’’ and the U.S.S. ‘‘Constitution’’ (‘‘Old Ironsides’’);

Whereas Commodore John Barry is recognized along with

General Stephen Moylan in the Statue of Liberty Museum as one of six foreign-born great leaders of the War

for Independence;
3

HJ 157 IH

Whereas in 1991 and 1992 President George Bush proclaimed September 13 as ‘‘Commodore John Barry Day’’;

and

Whereas designating a day to commemorate Commodore

John Barry would be important to United States Navy

veterans, Irish Americans, and to all the people of the

United States: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That September 13, 1993, is designated as ‘‘Commodore

4 John Barry Day’’, and the President of the United States

5 is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling

6 upon the people of the United States to observe such day

7 with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Æ