At the Town of Hempstead's annual African American History Month Celebration, the town bestowed the inaugural Rosa Parks Award upon Rev. H. David Parker, pastor of the Emanuel Baptist Church in Elmont for carrying on Parks' legacy for members of his congregation as well as residents across the town. "I am delighted that many residents of the Town of Hempstead joined together to reflect upon and appreciate all that African Americans have done to help build America into the world's greatest nation," said Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby. A native of Alabama, Reverend Parker served 25 years in the armed forces from which he received military decorations and citations. In his military career, he traveled to 47 of the states in the country and to 17 foreign countries. He retired with military honors in 1962. Dr. Parker was appointed assistant pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church of Hempstead, where he served for four years before coming to the Emanuel Baptist Church of Elmont. As leader of the congregation, Dr. Parker was instrumental in the construction of a new church edifice and is now in the process of leading the church in building senior citizen housing for its members. Dr. Parker is the father of six and is married to Flora Covington-Parker. A community and religious symbol in Elmont, Dr. Parker is deserving of an award bearing the Rosa Parks' name.