[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 37 (Monday, September 20, 1993)]
[Pages 1749-1750]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6589--Commodore John Barry Day, 1993

 September 13, 1993

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    During its War for Independence, our Nation faced a great and proven 
sea power. The young Continental Navy, which had been established by the 
Continental Congress in October 1775, was only a fraction of the size of 
the British fleet. Nevertheless, the small American naval force not only 
achieved several key victories during the War but also established a 
tradition of courageous service that continues to this day. On this 
occasion,

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we honor the memory of one of America's first and most distinguished 
naval leaders, Commodore John Barry.
    After immigrating to the United States from Ireland, John Barry 
became a successful shipmaster in Philadelphia. He was also an 
enthusiastic supporter of American independence, and when the 
Revolutionary War began, he readily volunteered for service and became 
one of the first captains of the Continental Navy.
    Captain Barry served bravely and with distinction throughout the 
course of the War. While commanding the brig LEXINGTON, he captured the 
British sloop EDWARD in April 1776. This victory marked the first 
capture in battle of a British vessel by a regularly commissioned 
American warship. Later in 1776, he led a raid by four small boats 
against British vessels on the Delaware River and seized a significant 
quantity of supplies meant for the British Army. Seven years later, 
Captain Barry participated in the last American naval victory of the 
War, leading the frigate ALLIANCE against HMS SYBILLE in March 1783.
    Serving as a volunteer artillery officer in December of that year, 
Captain Barry participated in General George Washington's celebrated 
campaign to cross the Delaware River, which led to victory at the Battle 
of Trenton.
    Captain Barry continued to serve our country after the end of the 
Revolution, helping to make the American victory a meaningful and 
enduring one. Active in Pennsylvania politics, he became a strong 
supporter of the Constitution, which was ratified by the State Assembly 
on December 12, 1787. In June 1794, President George Washington 
appointed him as commander of the new frigate USS UNITED STATES, one of 
six that were built as part of a permanent American naval armament. For 
the remaining years of his life, Commodore Barry helped to build and 
lead the new United States Navy, commanding not only USS UNITED STATES 
but also ``Old Ironsides,'' USS CONSTITUTION.
    Commodore John Barry died on September 13, 1803, but his outstanding 
legacy of service is carried on today by all the brave and selfless 
Americans who wear the uniform of the United States Navy.
    The Congress, by House Joint Resolution 157, has designated 
September 13, 1993, as ``Commodore John Barry Day'' and has authorized 
and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of 
this day.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim September 13, 1993, as Commodore 
John Barry Day. I invite all Americans to observe this day with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities in honor of those individuals, 
past and present, who have served in the United States Navy.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-three, 
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred 
and eighteenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:46 a.m., September 
15, 1993]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
September 16.