Senator James Donovan’s Legacy

Mar 06 2011

James Donovan is best known for his role as New York State Senator, but he contributed his state and his country in many additional ways as well. He served as chairman of the Senate Education Committee, the chairman of the Committee on Roads and Public Works, and the Committee on Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control. He created the New York City School Construction Authority, and served two tours of duty as a marine in World War II as well.

When Senator James Donovan passed away, Ralph J. Marino said “Jim Donovan’s most lasting contribution will be in the area of education, where he assured that quality and affordable education was the state’s top priority.”

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Senator James Donovan and Technological Education

Feb 18 2011

Senator James H Donovan understood that technology has become increasingly more important in the workplace. He observed that many people had no education in the field, and, as a result, they were losing their jobs. He then took it upon himself to encourage the integration of modern technology into the regular school curriculum.

Senator Donovan also raised funds for programs such as “Writing to Read,” “Writing to Write,” GERIS (Graphics Expression Reading Improvement System), TNT (Technologies Network Ties), RATPAC (Reading Achievement Through Publishing Activities) as well as “Starlab” planetariums which were transferred from school to school. He also supported the renovation of school libraries. Through his efforts Senator Donovan was able to successfully impact the technological education of his time.

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James H. Donovan Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control

Feb 03 2011

As State Senator, James H. Donovan worked hard for his people. He had many varied interests vis-à-vis the people he served and one area in which he was very active was mental health.  In fact, a mere eight years after he was first elected, Donovan became the chairman of the Committee on Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control.

Mental hygiene is the standpoint of public health within the realm of psychiatry. The ideas under this umbrella have been brought into mainstream psychiatry via community health activists.  Mental hygiene differs from the general way mental illness is treated as it is more focused on prevention rather than later stage treatment.  It goes for early intervention in an effort to reduce the use of long-term or institutionalized care.  As well, the focus is very much on children since the thesis behind mental hygiene is that any type of mental dysfunction is related to experiences from early childhood.  Since Donovan was very involved in the education system as well, chairing this committee was a perfect fit for him as mental hygienists worked closely through the educational structure as well.

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James H. Donovan: Chairman of the Senate Education Committee

Jan 20 2011

Senator James Donovan is likely most famous for his service as the chairman of the Senate Education Committee. He led this role for fourteen years, during which he expanded educational programs, worked to reduce teenage pregnancy and illiteracy and created the New York City School Construction Authority. This authority enabled new schools to be opened without difficulty.

When Senator Donovan died, Ralph J. Marino said, as senate majority leader, “Jim Donovan’s most lasting contribution will be in the area of education, where he assured that quality and affordable education was this state’s top priority.”

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Utica’s Senator James Donovan Middle School

Jan 07 2011

Utica’s Senator James H Donovan Middle School is a school for sixth to eighth graders living in the Utica City District. The state’s test results give it a three out of ten rating in the GreatSchools Rating. However, it has an average rating of three out of five from the parental evaluation. The school was named after Senator Donovan in recognition of his contributions to education and schools in his senatorial district.

The school is a public school, which offers a specialized curriculum and educational philosophy. The school also works to “promote student diversity” by accepting students from outside the traditional school district boundaries. By doing so, the school often attracts high quality students through competitive programs.

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Senaor James Donovan and the Gold Baton Award

Dec 31 2010

Throughout his life, Senator James Donovan contributed greatly to New York’s education, and worked to lessen teenage illiteracy and pregnancy. He also supported the building of new schools with his creation of the New York City School Construction Authority.

Mr. Donovan received many awards in honor of his efforts, including the Gold Baton Award, Utica Symphony Orchestra, Inc., in 1987. This orchestra is well known, and is one of the only groups of professional symphonies “providing high quality symphonic music that is accessible to all residents of our region and actively contributes to the economic, social and educational development of the Mohawk Valley through performance and outreach activities.”

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Senator James Donovan Lives On

Dec 23 2010

During his service as chairman of the US Senate Education Committee, James Donovan greatly influenced the quality of education in New York, and was considered “a man of the people”.

Even now, years after his death, Donovan is held with respect and recognized as a unique and significant person in New York’s educational development. Here are some of the facilities which were named in his honor: The Donovan Stadium at Murnane Field, James H. Donovan Science & Technology Building, James H. Donovan Education Resource Center, Donovan Memorial Park, Senator James H. Donovan Room, Oneida County Republican Committee Headquarters and the James H. Donovan Community Center Building.

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PARP: Parents as Reading Partners

Dec 16 2010

Senator James Donovan founded a program called Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) as a means to encourage children to read more. He understood that reading can greatly benefit children of all ages by expanding their horizons, stimulating their imaginations and preparing them for academic challenges. He believed that in order for children to read, they must consider the activity an enjoyable pastime.

As a means to achieve this goal, Senator Donovan encouraged parents to spend at least fifteen minutes every day reading with their child. He believed that the parents and child should switch off while reading in order to prevent discouragement of the child. The deeper involvement of the parents in the child’s life could also benefit the family in other ways. The child may be encouraged to share his or her opinions on the book, and eventually school, social life and more.

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Senator James H. Donovan Remembered by New York Governor

Dec 07 2010

In 1990 New York lost one of its most beloved of Senators, James H. Donovan. He was a major player in shaping state policy for education and transportation over the course of the preceding 25 years. Senator Donovan was only 66 years old when he died, but his accomplishments over the years of his illustrious career reflect a man of action and integrity who was destined to be remembered fondly.

At the time of Senator Donovan’s death the Governor of New York was Mario M. Cuomo. At that time the Governor ordered all state buildings to lower their flags out of respect for the passing of Donovan, and he commented that the Senator’s death was a “tremendous loss” and his ”courageous struggle to overcome his illness served as an inspiration to us all.”

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The Death of James Donovan

Dec 02 2010

Senator James Donovan died two decades ago of colon cancer. He left an extraordinary legacy, through his many years in public service. He served as New York State Senator for 25 years before retiring, as a result of unbearable weakness from his illness, mere months before his death.

Donovan battled fiercely with his illness. When he died, Gov. Mario M. Cuomo said that Donovan had conducted a “courageous struggle to overcome his illness, which served as an inspiration to us all.” He then ordered for the flags on all the state buildings to be lowered to half-staff, to show respect and grief for the deceased senator.

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