After serving the state of Minnesota for 36 years as the secretary of the Senate, Patrick Flahaven announced he will be retiring at the end of this year.

Pat was born in Willmar and grew up in Sauk Center. He earned his bachelor of arts degree 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 Sen. 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 Minnesota 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 chairman 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.

Please join me in thanking Pat for all of his contributions to the Senate, and to the state of Minnesota.

Larry Pogemiller

Senate majority leader

Minneapolis