[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 CONGRESS WISHES HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY TO FORMER SAILOR WILLIAM URBAETIS

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                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 29, 1994

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, some of the proudest ships in the U.S. Navy 
are named after the various States of the Union. And some of the 
proudest sailors are those who have served on those ships.
  This July 19, one of those sailors, William Urbaetis of 
Mechanicville, NY, wlll celebrate his 100th birthday, making him the 
oldest living crew member of the U.S.S. New York.
  Mr. Urbaetis was born on July 19, 1894. The U.S.S. New York (BB34) 
was commissioned in 1915. He joined the Navy on July 26, 1917 and 
served on the U.S. Rondo and U.S.S. Madawaska before being assigned to 
the U.S.S. New York in 1918. There he remained until his discharge on 
September 6, 1919.
  After his Navy service Mr. Urbaetis worked for the West Virginia 
Paper and Pulp Mill for 45 years until his retirement. He and his wife, 
the former Freda Kokosky, raised a daughter and five sons, all of whom 
are still alive. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
and American Legion. He is an avid stamp collector, and until recently 
was an avid beekeeper.
  Mr. Speaker, veterans like Mr. Urbaetis have made enormous sacrifices 
to preserve our freedoms. And the overwhelming majority of them, like 
Mr. Urbaetis, have gone on to lead full, productive lives. Let us all 
wish a very happy 100th birthday to a good sailor and great American, 
William Urbaetis of Mechanicville, NY.

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