[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 19 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. J. RES. 19

   Recognizing Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the 
                          United States Navy.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 16, 2003

 Mr. Specter introduced the following joint resolution; which was read 
         twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the 
                          United States Navy.

Whereas John Barry, American merchant marine captain and native of County 
        Wexford, Ireland, volunteered his services to the Continental Navy 
        during the American War for Independence and was assigned by the 
        Continental Congress as captain of the Lexington, taking command of that 
        vessel on March 14, 1776, and later participating in the victorious 
        Trenton campaign;
Whereas the quality and effectiveness of Captain John Barry's service to the 
        American war effort was recognized not only by George Washington but 
        also by the enemies of the new Nation;
Whereas Captain John Barry rejected British General Lord Howe's flattering offer 
        to desert Washington and the patriot cause, stating: ``Not the value and 
        command of the whole British fleet can lure me from the cause of my 
        country.'';
Whereas Captain John Barry, while in command of the frigate Alliance, 
        successfully transported French gold to America to help finance the 
        American War for Independence and also won numerous victories at sea;
Whereas when the First Congress, acting under the new Constitution of the United 
        States, authorized the raising and construction of the United States 
        Navy, it was to Captain John Barry that President George Washington 
        turned to build and lead the new Nation's infant Navy, the successor to 
        the Continental Navy of the War for Independence;
Whereas Captain John Barry supervised the building of his flagship, the U.S.S. 
        United States;
Whereas on February 22, 1797, President Washington personally conferred upon 
        Captain John Barry, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 
        the rank of Captain, with ``Commission No. 1'', United States Navy, 
        dated June 7, 1794;
Whereas John Barry served as the senior officer of the United States Navy, with 
        the title of ``Commodore'' (in official correspondence), under 
        Presidents Washington, John Adams, and Jefferson;
Whereas as commander of the first United States naval squadron under the 
        Constitution of the United States, which included the U.S.S. 
        Constitution (``Old Ironsides''), John Barry was a Commodore, with the 
        right to fly a broad pendant, which made him a flag officer; and
Whereas in this sense it can be said that Commodore John Barry was the first 
        flag officer of the United States Navy: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That Commodore John Barry is 
recognized, and is hereby honored, as the first flag officer of the 
United States Navy.
                                 <all>