Political Quotes

“today I rise to introduce a joint resolution, recognizing Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the United States Navy. Commodore Barry had been described as the ``Father of the American Navy'' by his contemporaries for his unfailing service to the United States Navy. The Commodore, born in Tacumshin Parish in County Wexford, Ireland and son to a poor Irish farmer, began his maritime career at an early age. He rose through the ranks and, at the outset of the American Revolution, was made responsible for outfitting the first Continental Navy ships. On March 14, 1776, the Marine Committee awarded Barry with a Captain's commission to the Continental Navy and his first warship, the brig Lexington. In his first conflict at sea with this ship, the Commodore brought the fledgling Navy its first victory at sea and captured the Edward, a British tender. Barry reported to the Congress, ``This victory had a tremendous psychological effect in boosting American morale, as it was the first capture of a British warship by a regularly commissioned American cruiser.''”