Archive for the 'Senator James H Donovan' category

Senator James Donovan Lives On

Dec 23 2010 Published by under Honors & Awards, Senator James H Donovan

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 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

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 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

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 Published by under Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

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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The Illustrious Career of Senator Donovan

Nov 23 2010 Published by under Honors & Awards, Senator James H Donovan

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 Published by under General, Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

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 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

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 Published by under General, Senator James H Donovan

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 Published by under Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

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 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

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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