For his support of the Armenian-American community, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America has named Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick as its “Friend of the Armenians” for 2011. The award will be officially bestowed during the annual Diocesan Assembly, meeting this year in Boston, April 28-May 1.

“We are what we are because of our willingness to face horrors like the Armenian Genocide - and to use them as reminders of the best of what we are. And the best of what we want to be is founded in tolerance and understanding.” The words were those of Patrick at the ceremonial groundbreaking and blessing of “Armenian Heritage Park” along the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, on September 9, 2010.

More than 1,000 people - Armenians from the Greater Boston area, leaders of the Armenian Church and national Armenian organizations, distinguished civic and municipal figures and elected officers - had turned out for the ceremony.

In 2006 came his election as Massachusetts governor, and Patrick again overcame obstacles — political and economic - to make his strong positive mark on the Commonwealth’s educational and scientific establishments, while accomplishing major reforms that had eluded elected leaders for decades.

For the local Armenian community, Patrick emerged as an insightful and courageous supporter and as an outspoken advocate for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Patrick was re-elected to a second term as governor in November 2010, The Armenian Mirror-Spectator reports.