PRINTER'S NO. 1054
No. 128 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY McILHINNEY, MAY 22, 2007
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MAY 22, 2007
A RESOLUTION
1 Commemorating the Father of the United States Navy, Commodore
2 John Barry, whose statue was dedicated in Independence Square
3 in the City of Philadelphia 100 years ago.
4 WHEREAS, A statue of Irish-born Commodore John Barry was
5 donated to the City of Philadelphia, his adopted city, by The
6 Society of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and unveiled in
7 Independence Square 100 years ago; and
8 WHEREAS, John Barry, who was born in County Wexford, Ireland,
9 rose from lowly cabin boy to commander of the American naval
10 fleet through his gallantry and heroic efforts, as he was the
11 first to capture a British vessel in the Revolutionary War,
12 captured more than 20 ships throughout his career, was a leader
13 in the planning and execution of Washington's crossing of the
14 Delaware, fought and was wounded in several ferocious sea
15 battles and fought the last naval battle of the Revolutionary
16 War aboard the frigate "Alliance" in 1783; and
17 WHEREAS, Upon his death on September 12, 1803, Commodore
18 Barry was buried with full military honors behind Old St. Mary's
1 Church in the City of Philadelphia; and
2 WHEREAS, The Society of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick,
3 established on March 17, 1771, for the relief of Irish
4 immigrants, included Commodore Barry, General Anthony Wayne,
5 John Dickinson, Robert Morris and General Henry Knox among its
6 members and George Washington among its honorary members; and
7 WHEREAS, The Society of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick is
8 marking the 100th anniversary of the unveiling of the Commodore
9 Barry statue with a day of events on May 27, 2007, at Old St.
10 Mary's Church and Cemetery and in the vicinity of the Commodore
11 Barry statue in Independence Square; and
12 WHEREAS, These events begin with a Commemorative Mass at Old
13 St. Mary's Church at 11:30 a.m., followed by a wreath-laying
14 ceremony at the gravesite and a procession to Independence
15 Square, where events continue throughout the afternoon and
16 include speeches by honored guests representing Ireland and the
17 United States; therefore be it
18 RESOLVED, That the Senate commemorate the Father of the
19 United States Navy, Commodore John Barry, whose statue was
20 dedicated in Independence Square in the City of Philadelphia 100
21 years ago.
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