[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 26, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF DAN FLAVIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CLAY HIGGINS

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 26, 2024

  Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Daniel Flavin, 
a uniquely integral Southwest Louisiana community leader. Dan's career 
spanned business, politics, and philanthropy. No matter what his means 
were, he always worked to benefit those around him, his family, and 
God.
  Dan's family moved to Lake Charles in 1972, where he attended and 
graduated from A.M. Barbe High School. Mr. Bill Flavin, Dan's Father, 
was a Veteran of the Korean War and an industrious, self-made man. 
Despite generous offers that would force his family to leave the 
Southwest Louisiana community they had come to love, he resigned from 
his job and founded what is now the renowned Flavin Realty Inc. Dan 
once recalled that even at 86, his father still came to work every day. 
Mr. Bill Flavin clearly endowed Dan with this impulse for hard work and 
integrity. The Flavins' principles are emblematic of Southwest 
Louisiana's grit and ingenuity.
  Dan bought Flavin Realty from his father after graduating from 
McNeese State University, inheriting it just as he had his fundamental 
values. Under Dan's management, Flavin Realty steadily grew into the 
organization we know today: Southwestern Louisiana's eminent real 
estate firm. In recognition of his personal ability, Dan was twice 
awarded the Calcasieu Parish Realtor of the Year Award and was selected 
for leadership positions in Louisiana's top real estate associations. 
Dan always showed great humility in his achievements, always giving 
credit to family and God above all.
  Throughout his life, Dan's personal integrity and dedication reached 
beyond his own interests, overflowing into the community. He gave 
generously to charity and local causes. In 1996, Dan brought his 
talents to the state legislature, where he served his beloved SWLA 
community. His decade-long tenure in the Louisiana House of 
Representatives was noted by constituents as an era of major victories 
and development. Representative Flavin's greatest legislative work came 
amid efforts to bolster the Port of Lake Charles. His concerted 
legislation and advocacy made the Port of Lake Charles our Nation's 
10th largest, cementing an irreplaceable source of SWLA economic 
prosperity for years to come.
  This unwavering dedication to community was surpassed only by Dan's 
intertwined love of family and God. After retiring from the state 
legislature in 2005, Dan spent the joyful final years of his life 
caring for the family business, surrounded by his wife Lisa and their 
six children, 20 grandchildren, and a community of friends. Dan's love 
of God, family, and community made him an exemplary Louisianan by any 
definition. His work was always conducted according to our state's 
unique intersection of government, business, and family values.
  Dan is survived by a big, beautiful Louisiana family and a forever 
grateful community. On behalf of Louisiana's 3rd District, I thank Mr. 
Dan Flavin for his generous charity and lifelong service to Louisiana. 
As we continue to benefit from Dan Flavin's legacy, I pray the Lord 
blesses his family and grants his reward in Heaven.

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