The Illustrious Career of Senator Donovan

Nov 23 2010

Senator James Donovan represented Oneida county in the New York State Senate from 1966 until 1990. During this nearly quarter-of-century in public service, the Senator received hundreds of awards from organizations and institutions from around the state.

His honors included an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Wadhams Hall College, the Gold Baton Award of the Utica Symphony Orchestra, a Community Service Award from the Utica Area Chamber of Commerce, and a Medal for Distinguished Service in Public Education awarded by the New York Academy of Public Education. During those years, James H. Donovan was also designated Man of the Year by Catholic Charities, Legislator of the Year by the New York State Federation of the Council for Exceptional Children, and Exceptional State Legislative Leader by the New York City School Board Association.

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Senator Donovan: “A Man of the People”

Nov 11 2010

James H. Donovan is famous for his 14 year role as chairman of the US Senate Education Committee. However, he served as chairman for many other committees throughout his life. His first experience as chairman was of the Committee on Roads and Public Works. He also served as chairman of the Committee of Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control, and of the Select Committee on Mentally and Physically Handicapped.

In addition to serving in many committees, Senator Donovan was honored with hundreds of awards from groups around New York State. These include, but are not limited to; the Gold Baton Award, the Americanism Award, Construction Man of the Year, the Anne B Gennings Award, the Man of the Year Award and many, many others.

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James H. Donovan Memorial Scholarship

Nov 01 2010

If you live in Oneida, Herkimer or Lewis Counties of New York, you’ll want to know about this scholarship.  The Senator James H. Donovan Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of the New York State Senator who represented these counties from 1966-1990 and died in 1990.

The scholarship deadline is April 1st of each year and requires a GPA of at least 3.0.  It is awarded to high school graduates or matriculated students who reside in these counties. The scholarships are awarded based on academic promise, community involvement and financial self-help.  The scholarship is for students who will be attending Mohawk Valley Community College, part of the State University in New York system.

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Parents as Reading Partners: James H. Donovan

Oct 24 2010

We all know the importance of learning to read. Reading can broaden children’s horizons and enhance their imaginations, but it also has a huge role in the rest of their lives. Every activity, education and career path or job requires good reading skills. By making reading an enjoyable activity in children’s lives, we can instill these skills in children at a young age, and encourage them to continue reading and expanding their vocabularies as they grow older.

Senator James H. Donovan recognized this, and started a program called PARP- Parents as Reading Partners as a means to achieve this goal. He believed that if parents spent at least 15 minutes each day to read with their child, the child would both enjoy reading and acquire the skills necessary to succeed academically.  The child need not read alone- the reading should alternate between the child and the parent, so that the child does not get discouraged if he or she is having difficulty reading. This method does not only help instill reading skills, it also increases parent involvement in the child’s life and may encourage the child to express his or her opinions about the book, school and more. This program has been adopted by a great number of schools and parents on their own, and is helping children everywhere.

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James H. Donovan Science & Technology Building

Oct 14 2010

The SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome (SUNYIT) recently announced plans for its ceremonial groundbreaking, to be held on Thursday, October 14, 2 p.m.  Founded in 1966, this university offers various programs technology and professional studies.  Senator James H Donovan worked hard implementing technology into education for students during his lifetime. This will mark the beginning of an academic and industry complex on the campus. “The project will have two distinct components, the Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) and the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (“Quad-C”), which will be co-located on a site near Kunsela Hall and the Cayan Library. The CAT, a t-shaped, three-story structure, will be more than 60,000 square feet; the Quad-C is still under design and its size will grow to meet the demand of its industry tenants. The first Quad-C tenant was announced August 19; infrastructure, a technology company headquartered in Clifton Park, plans to occupy temporary space on campus until the complex is completed in 2012-2013.”

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Donovan Middle School Named for Beloved Senator

Oct 04 2010

Donovan Middle School

Donovan Middle School

In Utica, New York there is a living memorial to the memory of Senator James H. Donovan, and that is the James H. Donovan Middle School. Honoring the memory of Senator Donovan, a tireless advocate of education for the children and citizens of New York, the school has taken on the Senator’s name with pride and commitment.

The school was built in 1992 just two years after the passing of Mr. Donovan, at the age of 67. It was constructed in the southwestern section of Utica, New York and was built with the comfort and needs of its precious students in mind. With large classrooms and six up-to-date science laboratories, a room for group learning, an entire wing dedicated to music and a state-of-the-art auditorium, nothing is missing from the educational offerings of the facility. Each classroom is equipped with its own internet access, connecting every student and teacher directly to the incredible information constantly available at the mere push of a button.

James H. Donovan would be proud and honored to have his name attached to such a school.

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James H. Donovan: The Early Years

Sep 23 2010

Senator James H. Donovan served his district longer than any other state legislator.  He was committed to helping to raise the level of education in New York, and to many other important causes.

Jim Donovan grew up on a farm in Marcy, New York and served two tours of duty as a marine in World War II.  He first served in public office in 1959 when he was elected to the Chadwicks Board of Education.  From there, he became the New Hartford Town Councilman in 1961 and the Town Supervisor in 1963.  In 1965 he was elected to the Senate.

He was survived by his wife, Esther, by five sons and by two daughters.  He also had 14 grandchildren.

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Senator James H Donovan and the Americanism Award

Sep 15 2010

In 1972 Senator James H Donovan received the Americanism Award, Knights of Columbus, New York State Council.  Also known as the American Legion Post 694, this award is given to sites with Americanism in their themes.  Those receiving the award must have shown the United States of America very favorably as well as having shown strong authoring skills.    Many very distinguished honorees have received the Americanism Award in the past and it is indeed one of the organization’s “highest awards” given out.

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James H Donovan and the U.S. Senate Education Committee

Sep 08 2010

Today, the US Senate Education Committee is chaired by Senator Tom Harkin.  He was the Iowa representative for 35 years, having first been elected to the US House in 1974.  Representing Iowa’s Fifth Congressional District until 1984, Harkin challenged an incumbent Senator and won.  He became the first Iowa Democrat to win a fifth term in the Senate.  Today he chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.  Senator James H Donovan was named chairman of the US Senate Education Committee in 1977 which was probably what most gave him his prestige.  Hence various schools and educational institutes are named after him today.

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Senator James H Donovan Middle School

Sep 01 2010

Last year the Senator James H Donovan Middle School made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress).  To do this, a school has to achieve certain levels of improvement as set out by the state of New York vis-à-vis student performance and other accountability measures.  This is under the No Child Left Behind program.    This school made that mark.

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