PUBLIC LAW 97-43—AUG. 20, 1981
95 STAT. 947
Public Law 97-43 97th Congress Joint Resolution To authorize and request the President to designate September 13, 1981, as "Commodore John Barry Day".
Aug. 20, 1981 [S.J. Res. 87]
Whereas Commodore John Barry, hero of the American Revolution and holder of the first Commission in the United States Navy, was born on September 13, 1745, in County Wexford, Ireland; Whereas Commodore Barry was commissioned to command the brig Lexington, the first ship bought and equipped for the Revolution, and became a national hero with the first capture of an enemy warship in actual battle; Whereas following the Revolution, when the sovereignty of this new Nation was threatened by pirates. Commodore Barry was placed in command of the first ships authorized under the new Constitution and was named senior captain of the United States Navy in 1794; Whereas Commodore Barry is considered as the father of the United States Navy; and Whereas Commodore Barry was honored by the United States Congress in 1906, when a statue was commissioned and later placed in Lafayette Park, Washington, District of Columbia, and honored again some fifty years later when the Congress authorized a statue to be presented in his name to the people of County Wexford, Ireland: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the President Commodore is authorized and requested to designate September 13, 1981, as John Barry Day. "Commodore John Barry Day", as a tribute to the father of the Designation authorization. United States Navy, and to call upon Federal, State, and local government agencies and the people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Approved August 20, 1981.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 87: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 127 (1981): July 31, considered and passed Senate. Aug. 4, considered and passed House. WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 17, No. 34 (1981): Aug. 20, Presidential statement.
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