First Flag Officer of the United States Navy
Commodore John Barry, a native of County Wexford, Ireland, volunteered his services to the Continental Navy. Throughout his career, Commodore Barry not only provided the first and last victories at sea for the American revolutionaries, but also was a leader in organizing the crossing of the Delaware River by General George Washington. Under President Washington, Commodore Barry built and commanded the first United States Navy.
On St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2005, Congressman Peter King (NY) reintroduced House Joint Resolution #38 (H.J.RES.38), recognizing Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the United States Navy.
As you know this resolution was introduced by Congressman Peter King (H.J.RES.6) and passed in the House on October 7, 2002 in the 107th Congress (2001-2002), but there was not enough time to get it passed in the Senate. It must pass in both the House and the Senate and signed by the President during a single Congress.
In the 108th Congress (2003-2004), it was reintroduced in the House by Congressman King (H.J.RES.62), and in the Senate by Senator Specter (S.J.RES.19), but it did not get out of Committee to the Floors for passage.
Having said that, we must move quickly to get the resolution passed in the House and Senate, and signed by President Bush during this current 109th Congress.
Please get your Member of Congress to sign on as a cosponsor of H.J.RES.38, recognizing Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the United States Navy.
If possible, a fax or a letter is the most effective.
If you know your representative you can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be switched to his/her office.
Thank them for their support.
Follow up calls may be necessary.
PLEASE DO JUSTICE TO COMMODORE JOHN BARRY - CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY - DO NOT ASSUME THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL DO IT.
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Commodore Barry Resolution (H.J.RES.38) as introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives
Text of the Resolution, Cosponsors and all the latest details.
Members of the House Armed Serviced Committee
(Click on the Representative's name for info.)
United States House of Representatives
Article on Commodore Barry by Liam Murphy, former Editor of the National Hibernian Digest
Article on Commodore Barry by Mike McCormack, National Historian
Article on Commodore Barry by John Barry Kelly
Article on Commodore Barry, The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1999
Other Information on Commodore John Barry
Tips and Suggestions for Communicating with Congress
A Sample Letter for your Representative
Book: Commodore John Barry: "the Father of the American Navy; A Survey of Extraordinary Episodes in His Naval Career"
by William Barry Meany, MD, Harper & Brothers, New York& London 1911.
Please send me your questions and comments (Mike Kearney)