[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 38 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]


        H.J.Res.38

                       One Hundred Ninth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
            the fourth day of January, two thousand and five


                            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.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.