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

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 29, 2025.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate