In a ceremony held at Hempstead Town Hall, Supervisor Kate Murray honored six members of the Hispanic community at the town's annual celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

"I am delighted to have an opportunity to honor six individuals who have made a difference in their workplace and in their neighborhoods," said Supervisor Murray. "Each of these individuals has made contributions to his or her community that help to make the Town of Hempstead a great place to live, work and raise a family."

The 2004 honorees are: Norma DeBartolo, resident of Elmont and Special Assistant for Community Affairs for the Elmont School District School; Francisco Jorge, resident of Malverne and operator of three Compare Foods Supermarkets in Freeport; Cecilia Lopez-Bell, resident of Levittown and Small Business Relationship Manager for HSBC Bank in Lynbrook; Cayetano Moran, resident of Hempstead and owner of two successful Hempstead restaurants; Hector Montesdeoca, resident of Merrick and owner of the Merrick Auto Service Station; and Dr. Alfonso J. Garcia Osuna, resident of Oceanside and Associate Professor at Hofstra University.

Dr. Shelia D'Nodal, Director of the Women's Health Center at South Nassau Communities Hospital, delivered the keynote address. D'Nodal, a previous recipient of the Town of Hempstead Pathfinder Award, a women's achievement award, has initiated an extensive health care outreach program to the Latino community.

"The Hispanic community plays a critical role in shaping our future. The success of Hispanic Americans is essential to our development as a town and as a nation," concluded Supervisor Murray.

Among the honorees was Mrs. DeBartolo, who is a visible and known woman in the Elmont School District. Here is the town's announcement of her recognition:

A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mrs. De Bartolo has been living in Elmont since 1981. A mother of three and grandmother of four, Mrs. DeBartolo has worked for the Elmont School District for over 17 years. Mrs. DeBartolo currently holds a position as Special Assistant for Community Affairs. As a Special Assistant she works tirelessly with children, parents and community members.

Mrs. DeBartolo also attends many Chamber of Commerce and civic meetings, as well as board meetings for both the elementary and high schools. Mrs. DeBartolo participates in these meetings to better understand the concerns of her community and to serve as an interpreter of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese for parents with limited English proficiency. Mrs. DeBartolo also serves as a member of the Franklin Square/Elmont Rotary Club, and as a board member of the Haitian American Family of Long Island.

Mrs. DeBartolo is very active in many different community outreach programs. Every year, she organizes local parades and tree lighting ceremonies and she involves students from the Elmont district in food and clothing drives. She also organizes parent workshops throughout the district.

One of Mrs. DeBartolo's greatest concerns is veterans' affairs. With local senior citizen centers and several veteran's organizations such as the American Legion, VFW and DAV, she organizes school programs in which veterans visit area schools and read to the children. She encourages the school children to support the veterans as well, helping them create cards and other items, that she brings with her on visits to the St. Alban's Veteran's Hospital.

Mrs. DeBartolo is making a difference that can be seen and felt throughout the Elmont community. She is a remarkable and resourceful woman who is richly deserving of the 2004 Town of Hempstead Hispanic Heritage Award.