[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 157 Engrossed in House (EH)]

103d CONGRESS

  1st Session

                             H. J. RES. 157

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION

   To designate September 13, 1993, as ``Commodore John Barry Day''.
103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 157

_______________________________________________________________________

                            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 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;
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
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled,
That September 13, 1993, 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.

            Passed the House of Representatives August 5, 1993.

            Attest:






                                                                 Clerk.