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Mayor presents key to the city to Church of the East Bishop
key to the City pic
Mayor Gary Soiseth, along with Turlock City Council members Matthew Jacob, Amy Bublak, Steven Nascimento and Bill DeHart, present a key to the city to His Grace Bishop Mar Awa Royel of the Assyrian Church of the East. - photo by KRISTINA HACKER / The Journal

Mayor Gary Soiseth presented his first Key to the City during Tuesday’s City Council meeting to His Grace Bishop Mar Awa Royel of the Assyrian Church of the East. Councilmember Matthew Jacob said that he could not think of “anybody more fitting or deserving in the Assyrian community to hold this honor,” and commended Bishop Mar Awa on his ability to demonstrate both integrity and a Christ-like humility. As the recipient of the Key, Bishop Mar Awa said that he accepted the honor on behalf of the Assyrian Church of the East and the Turlock Assyrian community, which has been an integral part of the city since the turn of the 20th century.