BOSTON -- Mayor Martin J. Walsh is supporting a recommendation by a city commission that the Boston Marine Industrial Park should be named for former Mayor Ray Flynn.

Made by the Raymond L. Flynn Commission, a committee formed by order of the Boston City Council to find a way to commemorate the legacy of the former mayor, the recommendation asks that the industrial park be officially named The Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park.

Walsh showed support for the idea in a letter to the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

"We can think of no better way to celebrate Mayor Flynn's legacy of social and economic justice than to name the area where his father, his brother, and, indeed, Mayor Flynn himself worked as members of the International Longshoreman's Association," he wrote.

"Under Mayor Flynn's administration, the Park blossomed from a nearly abandoned site to a robust industrial park providing thousands of jobs and an anchor for the marine industry on Boston's waterfront," Walsh continued.

Flynn served as Boston mayor from 1984 to 1993 until President Bill Clinton appointed him U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. He held that position until 1997.

He told The Pilot via email that the Boston port has historical significance, particularly for Boston's immigrants.

"The Port of Boston was the first port of arrival for millions of immigrants, including mine, who came to America looking for hope and opportunity for themselves and their families. They worked on the docks, unloading big ships, in wool houses, and cleaned fish," Flynn said.

"They also served our nation in time of need, raised strong families and helped build America's first Catholic churches, universities, hospitals and helped build great cities and communities like Boston. The legacy of these heroic and hardworking Americans will be front and center on the Boston Waterfront for future generations to see," he continued.

"This tribute is not about me, but about all those who worked hard on the docks, wool houses and warehouses who raised good families, served our country in time of need, and played by the rules. With sincere gratitude to our mayor," Flynn wrote.