[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 38 (Monday, March 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF RAYMOND L. FLYNN IN RECOGNITION OF HIS LIFETIME OF 
              ACCOMPLISHMENT AND DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2011

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Raymond L. Flynn in 
recognition of his lifetime of accomplishment and dedicated public 
service.
  Ray was born and raised in South Boston, Massachusetts by his proud 
parents Steve and Lillian Flynn. He remains a lifelong resident of 
South Boston with Kathy, his wife of 46 years, raising their six 
children and seventeen grandchildren.
  Ray worked several jobs as a kid, including selling newspapers at 
Fenway Park, Braves Field, and the Boston Garden. It was his time at 
the Boston Garden that led to him becoming a ball boy for the world 
famous Boston Celtics. As a student at South Boston High School, Ray 
was named to the Massachusetts All-Scholastic Basketball Team.
  After graduating from South Boston High School, Ray attended 
Providence College and was an honors graduate in 1963 and an Academic 
All-American; the only Providence College student-athlete to receive 
such an award.
  During his playing career at Providence College, Ray was selected as 
a member of the NCAA College All-Star Team and was named the Most 
Valuable Player at the 1963 National Invitational Tournament, which at 
the time was the most prestigious college basketball tournament in the 
Nation. The following year, Ray was named captain of the nationally 
ranked Providence Friars' championship basketball team and was selected 
to the NCAA 25th Anniversary team as one of the top student-athletes in 
America. In the culmination of his tremendous collegiate basketball 
career, on February 20, 2011, Providence College retired Ray's #14 
jersey to the rafters at the Dunkin Donut's Center (Providence Civic 
Center), joining other great Friar Basketball Legends.
  Ray served in the U.S. Army and played professional basketball in 
Wilmington, Delaware. In 1964, Ray made it to the final cut with the 
World Champion Boston Celtics. Returning to South Boston, Ray founded 
the South Boston Summer Basketball League which would later become the 
Boston Neighborhood Basketball League. Ray was proud to have organized 
the South Boston Men's Softball League and later coached at the South 
Boston Boy's Club and at Stonehill College.
  As an elected official, Ray served as a Massachusetts State 
Representative from South Boston and Dorchester from 1971 to 1978, 
Boston City Councilor from 1978 to 1983, Mayor of Boston from 1984 
to1993, President of the United States Conference of Mayors from 1991 
to 1992, and was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican) by 
President William J. Clinton from 1993 to 1997.
  Ray Flynn grew up in a family and neighborhood which placed the 
dignity of a job and hard work as its highest priority.
  A long time admirer of Pope John Paul II, Ray is the author of two 
best-selling books, The Accidental Pope and John Paul II, A Personal 
Portrait of the Pope and the Man.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take to the floor of the 
House today to join with Raymond L. Flynn's family, friends, and 
contemporaries to honor him for his lifetime of accomplishment and his 
dedicated public service.

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