To designate September 13, 1991, as "Commodore John Barry Day".
PL 102-92 (H.J.Res.166), enacted 08/14/1991

PUBLIC LAW 102-92—AUG. 14, 1991 
105 STAT. 473 
Public Law 102-92 
102d Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To designate September 13, 1991, as "Commodore John Barry Day". 
Whereas John Barry, an immigrant from Ireland, volunteered his 
services to the Continental Navy and was commissioned as cap-
tain on October 10,1775; 
Whereas during the War for Independence Captain John Barry 
achieved the first victory for the Continental Navy while in 
command of the ship "Lexington" by capturing the British ship 
"Edward", organized 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 Continen-
tal 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 Commodore 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 Constitutional Convention in 
Philadelphia, thus ensuring the quorum necessary to adopt the 
Constitution and recommend it to the States for ratification; 
Whereas on June 14, 1794, pursuant to "Commission No. 1", Presi-
dent 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 U.S.S. Constitution ("Old Ironsides"); 
Whereas Commodore John Barry is recognized along with General 
Stephen Moylan in the Statue of Liberty Museum as 1 of 6 
foreign-born great leaders of the War for Independence; 
Whereas in 1982 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed September 
13th, the date of John Barry's birth, as "Commodore John Barry 
Day"; 
Whereas in 1986 the New York State legislature designated Septem-
ber 13th of each year as "Commodore John Barry Day" in the 
State of New York; 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, 1991, is designated as "Commodore John Barry Day", and the 
Aug. 14, 1991 
[H.J. Res. 166] 
105 STAT. 474 
PUBLIC LAW 102-92—AUG. 14, 1991 
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. 
Approved August 14, 1991. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 166: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 137 (1991): 
Aug. 1, considered and passed House. 
Aug. 2, considered and passed Senate.