State Senator James H. Donovan was first elected in 1965, serving for 25 years, until shortly before his death from cancer.  During his time in this position, Donovan achieved a lot, and will go down in history as “serving his district longer than any other state legislator.”  What he was most well-known for was his role as chairman of the Senate Education Committee, which he held for 14 years.  Through this role Donovan made efforts in expanding programs “aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy and illiteracy.”  He also was a forerunner in the creation of the New York City School Construction Authority, a measure that enabled NYC to tremendously reduce red tape in the construction of new schools.  In addition, he chaired the Committee on Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control as well as the Committee on Roads and Public Works.    But it was really his work in education that he made the most significant strides, according to Ralph J. Marino, State majority leader who claimed that this was “where he assured that quality and affordable education was this state’s top priority.”