[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S8986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SPECTER (for himself, Mr. Corzine, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. 
        Schumer, and Ms. Snowe):
  S.J. Res. 21. A joint resolution recognizing Commodore John Barry as 
the first flag officer of the United States Navy; to the Committee on 
Armed Services.
  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the joint resolution be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the joint resolution was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                              S.J. Res. 21

       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.

                          ____________________