Archive for: December, 2011

The Contributions of Senator James Donovan

Dec 15 2011 Published by under Senate Work

Senator James Donovan served as chairman of the Senate Education Committee of New York for fourteen years. He was, and still is, known as a “man of the people.”

He passed away in 1991 after battling cancer, and his death was considered a “tremendous loss.” His contributions are widely recognized today. Senator 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 this state’s top priority.”

The governor at the time of Donovan’s death added that “Donovan’s courageous struggle to overcome his illness served as an inspiration to us all.”

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Parents as Reading Partners

Dec 01 2011 Published by under Senate Work

Senator James H. Donovan served as chairman of the US Senate Education Committee for 14 years. During that time, he instituted a program called Parents as Reading Partners, or PARP, to encourage children to read on a regular basis.

The program suggests that parents spend at least fifteen minutes each day reading with their child, taking turns reading aloud. In this way, children are less likely to become frustrated and discouraged, and will also form a stronger bond with their parents. Children may be encouraged to open up about their feelings on the book, school, social lives and more.

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