Patrick Flahaven, Secretary of the Minnesota Senate, to Retire

by Karl Kurtz

In a letter to members of the Minnesota Senate, Majority Leader Lawrence Pogemiller announced that Patrick Flahaven, the second-longest-serving senate secretary in the country (after Alabama's McDowell Lee), will retire at the end of this year.  Sen. Pogemiller summarized Pat's career:

Pat was born in Willmar, Minnesota, and grew up in Sauk Center.  He earned his BA at the College of St. Thomas, and his MMA and MBA at Metropolitan State University. 

Pat began his career as a congressional aide for U.S. Congressman Joseph Karth.  He was the Minority Assistant Secretary for the 1971 Session.  Pat was elected in 1973 as Secretary of the Senate when Senator Nick Coleman was Majority Leader, and has served continuously since then.
 
As many of you are already aware, Pat is the second longest serving Secretary of any State Senate, nationwide, having been elected in 1973.  During his time with the Senate, Pat has gained a national reputation for his expertise in parliamentary procedures.  He has chaired many national commissions and participated in international programs for the exchange of parliamentary ideas.  His service includes past president of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries; past chair of the Mason's Legislative Manual Revision Commission; past staff vice-president of the National Conference of State Legislatures; and participation in the Atlantic and Pacific Exchange Program, and the African and Romanian Parliamentary Training Programs.

We are fortunate to have had someone with such knowledge and respect working for the Minnesota Senate.  Pat’s institutional and procedural knowledge is invaluable and will be greatly missed.

Pat is indeed well-known and respected throughout the country, not only for his service as staff chair of NCSL in 1980-81 and his other formal positions but also because of his knowledge and curiosity about legislatures all around the world.  He is a true legislative junkie, and we, too, will miss him.

Comments

[Alfred Speer]

Pat Flahaven mentored so many Clerks & Secretaries through out his career that his imprint on the legislatures across this country is deep, if not widely known. Those of us elected to serve a parliamentary officers in the late 70’s and 80’ and 90’s benefited so deeply by knowing Pat, by listening to his sage advice and deep knowledge of parliamentary procedure. Pat treated us all with respect and molded our thinking through quiet talk and steady leadership.
Pat will be missed not only by the Minnesota Senate but by all parliamentary officers through our country. He will be remembered by his friends and colleagues with warm fondness. I know I speak for all my colleagues when I wish Pat and Maureen all our best in his retirement.
Butch

[Maribel Cadmus]

Pat, congratulations to you and best wishes for a happy retirement. I remember you fondly and appreciate all your contributions to ASLCS while I was Secretary of the Senate here in Salem.