[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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