[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/witelson.jpg” caption=”Sandra Witelson, professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, is one of six inductees to the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction. File photo.”]Six outstanding citizens, including two with McMaster connections, have been named to the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction for their leadership, dedication and talent. They will be inducted at the 24th annual gala dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at the Hamilton Convention Centre.

The Hamilton Gallery of Distinction inductees for 2006 are:

Sandra Witelson

This McMaster University neuroscientist has brought international honour and distinction to the city of Hamilton through her research and her study of Albert Einstein's brain. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and has been an active community volunteer on the Opera Hamilton board and the Halton-Wentworth Alzheimer's Foundation.

John Munro (posthumous)

John Munro, who attended McMaster, was one of Hamilton's most famous politicians. The MP for Hamilton East for 22 years, he boosted Hamilton throughout his career, securing federal support to establish McMaster University's medical school, the expansion of Hamilton General Hospital, the modernization of Hamilton Harbour and the expansion of Hamilton (now Munro International) Airport.

Louise Dompierre

A leader in Hamilton's arts community, Louise Dompierre has overseen the revitalization of the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Her vision and commitment have made the Gallery a showcase for a world class art collection, a tourism destination and a vital part of the Hamilton community.

John Fortino

In 1961, John Fortino started a small Hamilton grocery store called Fortino's and built the business into one of the most successful independent grocery store chains in Canada. He is the founder of the Fortino's Heart Fund Dinner, which raises funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, and is a key supporter of organizations across the city.

Roy Green

A national radio award winner and one of the best known voices in Hamilton, Roy Green has been a passionate supporter of the city, its people and its industries. He has built a reputation for tackling justice issues and for championing the rights of victims.

Isaac Buchanan (posthumous)

Born in 1810, Isaac Buchanan left an indelible mark on the City of Hamilton. He founded both the Hamilton Board of Trade (now the Chamber of Commerce) and the Toronto Board of Trade, was president of the Great Western Railway and was the builder of one of the city's most distinguished homes, Auchmar House.

Since 1984, the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction has publicly honoured the lifetime achievements of a select group of citizens who have made significant contributions to our community. The Gallery, located on the third floor of the Hamilton Convention Centre, provides a permanent showcase for the portraits of more than 130 people who have been inducted into the Gallery over the past 23 years.

A volunteer Board of Directors is responsible for maintaining the Gallery, organizing an annual search for new inductees and planning a yearly awards dinner in November. The formal gala dinner is a special event that attracts more than 600 people annually.

Tickets are $75 each or $700 for a table of 10 and can be purchased through the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce at 905-522-1151, ext. 237