Supervisor Kate Murray and the Hempstead Town Board observed National Hispanic Heritage Month with a special ceremony Oct. 3. Six members of the Hispanic community were honored for their contributions to the Hispanic community and their local neighborhoods.

"The American culture has been enriched through numerous Hispanic influences in both the arts and sciences," Supervisor Murray said. "This celebration recognizes the unique imprint that Hispanic Americans have been making on our nation and on the Town of Hempstead."

Among those honored was Joseph J. Ortego, a Garden City resident who was born to a Spanish father and Italian mother, is at the top of his profession as a managing partner of one of the 50 largest law firms in the United States.

After Ortego lost his father at 12 years of age, he and his siblings were encouraged by his mother to focus on their education, which included speaking Spanish at home. After graduation from Syracuse University, he attained his Juris Doctor Degree from Boston University School of Law.

Inspired by an incident of discrimination he experienced while at Syracuse University, Ortego became committed to do what he could to change attitudes of ignorance and intolerance in the workplace. After becoming the first Hispanic managing partner at the major law firm, Nixon Peabody, he used his clout to hire more Latino lawyers at his firm.

He has extensive trial experience and handles a wide variety of litigation for large financial institutions and the government, and has defended municipalities in regard to civil rights. A frequent lecturer both domestically and internationally and author of many publications, Ortego has appeared on network television as a legal consultant.

He continues to demonstrate his commitment to the Latino community in his roles as past regional president of the National Hispanic Bar Association, a member of the board of directors of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and by his probono work as legal counsel to the Long Island Chamber of Commerce.

Ortego is married to Shirley and is the proud father of two daughters. For his outstanding professional success and for being a role model to others the Town of Hempstead is proud to present Ortego with the 2006 Hispanic Heritage Award.

Others recognized included Francisco Batista, Celeste Cardenas-Curry, Nancy Diaz, Ligia Estrada and Grisselle Rivera-Mucciolo.

Dilcia Granville, a senior public affairs specialist for the US Food and Drug Administration, who currently serves as president of the board of directors of the Hispanic Counseling Center in Hempstead, delivered the keynote address while Gloria of Guatemala provided the musical entertainment. In addition, an art exhibit by several local Hispanic artists will be on display between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. in the lobby of Town Hall through Sunday, Oct. 15.

"We are so delighted to have an opportunity to honor these individuals who have made a difference in their workplace and in their communities," Supervisor Murray concluded. "The success of Hispanic Americans is essential to our development as a town and as a nation."