SR462 - Recognizing U.S. Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanic for his service aboard the USS Vulcan during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 462          WHEREAS, U.S. Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanic rendered   exceptional service to his country as a member of the USS Vulcan   crew during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962; and          WHEREAS, A native of Galveston, Mr. Urbanic served as an   opticalman petty officer 3rd class on the USS Vulcan ; his   responsibilities aboard the ship included repairing binoculars,   telescopes, and such navigation equipment as sextants and   azimuth bearing circles; and          WHEREAS, In fall 1962, Petty Officer Urbanic had been   aboard the vessel for six weeks before the October outbreak of   the Cuban Missile Crisis, a major confrontation that brought the   United States and the Soviet Union dangerously close to war over   the presence of Soviet nuclear-armed ballistic missiles on the   island of Cuba; on October 22, President John F. Kennedy ordered   a naval quarantine in an effort to keep Soviet ships from   delivering more weapons to Cuba; the Vulcan was deployed to San   Juan, Puerto Rico, where Petty Officer Urbanic and his crewmates   provided essential repair, electronics, and support services to   the American ships forming a quarantine ring blockade around   Cuba; the strategy proved successful, and the Vulcan returned   home to Norfolk, Virginia, on November 30, following its 23-day   mission in the Caribbean; and          WHEREAS, Years later, Petty Officer Urbanic was honored   during a ceremony in League City, where he was presented with the   Texas Cold War Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, as   well as the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, which recognized   his participation in the Cuban blockade; and          WHEREAS, Demonstrating exemplary skill and dedication,   Simon Urbanic upheld the highest ideals of the United States   military, and his fellow citizens owe him a lasting debt of   gratitude; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th   Legislature, hereby commend U.S. Navy Petty Officer Simon   Urbanic for his exceptional service during the Cuban Missile   Crisis and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and,   be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be   prepared for Mr. Urbanic as an expression of high regard from the   Texas Senate.     Middleton                 ________________________________          President of the Senate               I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on April 29, 2025.                 ________________________________          Secretary of the Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate