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: The Early Years

Sep 23 2010 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

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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