Mayor Walsh Proclaims Tuesday 'Pete Frates Day' In Boston

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — The man who inspired the ice bucket challenge that has raised millions for ALS research was honored at Boston City Hall Tuesday afternoon.

Mayor Marty Walsh hosted the rally for Pete Frates at City Hall Plaza, and declared September 5 as Pete Frates Day in the city.

Members of the BC Eagles Marching Band played as Frates was brought to the podium.

"Pete, you've changed our city for the better," said Walsh, who called Frates a "hometown hero."

Walsh says the rally and holiday is well-deserved, given what Frates has done to raise money and bring awareness of ALS.

"Pete's raised over $200 million for ALS," Mayor Walsh told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Ben Parker. "He is part of the Boston sports world, people following him and supporting him in his illness and his family. It's incredible really, just to see what Pete has done in a very difficult time for him and his family."

The event also coincides with the release of a new book on Frates. "The Ice Bucket Challenge: Pete Frates and the Fight against ALS" was written by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge. Half of its proceeds benefit the Frates family.

"It's hard to express in words what Pete Frates' impact has been," Walsh said. "When the ice bucket challenge was literally like a craze going through Boston and America, it was amazing he was able to start something like that."

Frates, his family, the book authors, Boston Red Sox officials and the Boston College baseball team all attended the rally.

"Pete belongs on the Mount Rushmore of sports with Larry Bird, David Ortiz," said Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy.

Frates is a former Boston College baseball star who has inspired millions of dollars in donations for research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports

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• Bernice Corpuz
• Boston
• Ice Bucket Challenge
• Marty Walsh