[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 130 (Monday, October 7, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H7127-H7128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING COMMODORE JOHN BARRY AS THE FIRST FLAG OFFICER OF THE
UNITED STATES NAVY
Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
joint resolution (H.J. Res. 6) recognizing Commodore John Barry as the
first flag officer of the United States Navy, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.J. Res. 6
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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. McHugh) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).
General Leave
Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on H.J. Res. 6.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. SPEAKER. I rise in support of H.J. Res. 6, a resolution
recognizing Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the
United States Navy. Born in 1745, John Barry came to America as a young
seaman and was a great American patriot and warrior during the
Revolutionary War.
After the war, he was appointed the head of the United States Navy by
[[Page H7128]]
President Washington. John Barry's contributions during the
Revolutionary War were unparalleled. He was the first captain to
capture a British vessel on the high seas. And while in command of his
favorite ship, the frigate Alliance, he captured two British ships
after being severely wounded during a ferocious sea battle. He captured
over 20 ships and fought the last sea battle of the war at the helm of
the frigate Alliance in 1783.
Earlier in the war while waiting for a war ship to be built, he also
fought on the land at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. Later as
the head of the Navy, he was so highly regarded as a teacher and
visionary that his contemporaries labeled him ``the Father of the
American Navy.'' His legacy was soon confirmed when many officers that
he had mentored became the heroes of the war of 1812.
Mr. Speaker, commenting as both an Irish-American and as someone
whose mother's maiden name was Barry, I cannot think of an American
hero past or present that is a better example of a man that embodies
the spirit of this great country, an immigrant who was totally
committed to his adopted Nation.
Today, with this resolution, we honor Commodore John Barry as the
first Navy officer authorized to fly his own pennant. But the story of
John Barry is an Irish-American hero and patriot is a lesson of far
greater importance to the Members of this House and all the Americans
who treasure freedom and liberty.
Mr. Speaker, I particularly want to thank my friend, my House
colleague and my State delegation colleague, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. King), who is, as I am sure most Members of this House
recognize, a long supporter of Irish causes in the House of
Representatives, for working so diligently on this particular
resolution, and laboring very, very arduously to ensure that it was
brought before this House today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Joint Resolution 6,
introduced by my colleague from New York (Mr. King). House Joint
Resolution 6 recognizes Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer
of the United States Navy.
Born in Wexford, Ireland, in 1745, the son of a poor Irish farmer
rose to become the father of the American Navy. In 1775 as the War for
Independence began, Captain John Barry was given command of a new 14-
gun ship named the Lexington. As the commander of the Lexington,
Captain Barry captured the British ship Edward, the first American war
prize.
Throughout the war, Captain Barry was successful in capturing
numerous enemy ships and their vitally important cargo of food and
ammunition that were desperately needed by the Continental troops.
Captain John Barry also aided in President George Washington's
crossing of the Delaware and participated in the victorious Trenton
Campaign.
Enemies also recognized Captain Barry's extraordinary skill and
leadership. British General Lord Howe offered to desert Washington, and
the patriot cause was rejected by Captain Barry who stated, ``Not the
value and command of the whole British fleet can lure me from the cause
of my country.''
{time} 1830
After the first Congress authorized the establishment of the United
States Navy, President George Washington tasked Captain John Barry to
build and lead the Nation's young navy.
On February 22, 1797, President Washington conferred upon Captain
John Barry the rank of captain, with the first commission of the United
States Navy, Commission No. 1.
As commander of the first naval squadron, Commodore Barry was
entitled to fly a broad pendant, which made him, in essence, the
Nation's first flag officer of the United States Navy. Captain Barry
served as commodore of the United States Navy under three Presidents,
Washington, Adams and Jefferson.
Commodore Barry led the navy until his death in September, 1803, in
Philadelphia. He played a vital role in establishing the earliest
traditions of the navy: faithful devotion to duty, honoring the flag
and vigilant protection of the rights of the sovereign United States.
House Joint Resolution 6 recognizes Commodore John Barry for his
outstanding contributions to the Continental Navy through the American
War for Independence and his extraordinary accomplishments as the
Nation's first flag officer of the United States Navy. I urge my
colleagues to adopt this resolution.
Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the House of
Representatives to pass H.J. Res. 6, a resolution which honors and
recognizes Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the U.S.
Navy.
In recognition of his historic role and his achievements, it is
fitting that Commodore Barry be properly honored as the first flat
officer. An American merchant marine captain and native of County
Wexford, Ireland, Barry volunteered his services to the Continental
Navy. Throughout his career, from taking command as captain of the
Lexington to participating in the victorious Trenton campaign, Barry's
efforts to the American war effort were monumental.
As a result, when the First Congress authorized the raising and
construction of the U.S. Navy, President George Washington turned to
Barry to build and lead the Nation's Navy. From supervising the
building of the flagship USS United States to commanding the first U.S.
naval squadron which included the USS Constitution (``Old Ironsides''),
Barry was a commodore, with the right to fly a broad pennant, which
made him a flag officer.
I urge the House of Representatives to pass H.J. Res. 6 and honor
Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the U.S. Navy.
Mr. SHELTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, with a
final urging to all our colleagues to support this very, very worthy
resolution; and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Calvert). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 6, as
amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the joint resolution, as amended,
was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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