IA
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. J. RES. 383
To designate September 13, 1994, as ‘‘Commodore John Barry Day’’.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 27, 1994
Mr. MCNULTY (for himself, Mr. FISH, Mr. COYNE, Mr. MCDADE, Mr. MONT-
GOMERY, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. KING, Mr. KEN-
NEDY, Mr. WALSH, Mr. RICHARDSON, Mr. APPLEGATE, Mr. ENGEL, Mr.
CONYERS, Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. EVANS, and Mr. GILMAN) introduced the
following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Post
Office and Civil Service
JOINT RESOLUTION
To designate September 13, 1994, as ‘‘Commodore John
Barry Day’’.
Whereas the United States of America is a nation of immi-
grants 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
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‘‘Edward’’, organizing General George Washington’s
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 Brit-
ish 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 Amer-
ican naval hero of that war;
Whereas in 1787 Captain John Barry organized the compul-
sory attendance of members of the Pennsylvania Assem-
bly 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. ‘‘Constitu-
tion’’ (‘‘Old Ironsides’’);
Whereas Commodore John Barry is recognized along with
General Stephen Moylan in the Statue of Liberty Mu-
seum as one of six foreign-born great leaders of the War
for Independence;
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Whereas in 1991 and 1992 President George Bush, and in
1993 President Bill Clinton, 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
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That September 13, 1994, is designated as ‘‘Commodore
John Barry Day’’, and the President of the United States
is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling
upon the people of the United States to observe such day
with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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