Senator James Donovan: Education and Beyond

Aug 29 2011 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

Senator James Donovan’s death was described as “a great loss”. Having served as the chairman of the Senate Education Committee for fourteen years, James Donovan made many contributions to the field of education in New York.

Following his death, 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 the state’s top priority.”

Donovan also worked to reduce teenage pregnancy and illiteracy. Aside from serving in the Senate Education Committee, James H. Donovan also served as the chairman of the Committee on Roads and Public Works, as well as the Committee on Mental Hygiene and Addictino Control.

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Senator James Donovan: Technology and Education

Jul 22 2011 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

Technology is a rapidly growing industry, and its importance in education is undeniable. Senator James H. Donovan recognized this early on, and worked to provide knowledge and skills in the field in everyday school curriculum.

Jim Donovan organized funds to support “Reading to Write,” “Writing to Write,” GERIS (Graphics Expression Reading Improvement System), TNT (Technologies Network Ties), RATPAC (Reading Achievement Through Publishing Activities,) and ‘Starlab’ mobile planetariums. James Donovan also backed the renovation of school libraries.

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In Honor of James H. Donovan

Jun 21 2011 Published by under Honors & Awards, Senator James H Donovan

Senator James H. Donovan is remembered as a ‘man of the people,’ and is known to have made many lasting contributions during his time as chairman of the US Senate Education Committee.

Jim Donovan’s memory lives on in the numerous institutes that were named in his honor. Some of these establishments include the Donovan Stadium at Murnane Field, the James H. Donovan Science and Technology Building, the James H. Donovan Education Resource Center, Donovan Memorial Park, Senator James H. Donovan Room, Oneida County Republican Committee Headquarters, the James H. Donovan Community Center Building, and many more.

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“Jim Donovan’s Most Lasting Contribution”

May 19 2011 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

When Senator James H. Donovan passed away in 1990, Ralph J. Marino, a senate majority leader, 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.”

Indeed, Senator James Donovan is well known for his fourteen years as the chairman of the Senate Education Committee. However, Donovan also contributed to the state and the country in other ways. He served as the chairman of the Committee on Roads and Public Works as well as the Committee on Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control. He fought teenage illiteracy and pregnancy, and served two tours of duty in World War II as a marine, as well.

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Technology and Senator James Donovan

May 04 2011 Published by under Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

Senator James H. Donovan is known for his many accomplishments in the education sector of New York State. During his time in the role, Senator Donovan understood that technology was and would continue gaining momentum through the following years. He observed that many people were losing jobs as a result of the lack of knowledge in technological fields, and so worked to incorporate modern technology into the school curriculum.

As part of the effort, Senator Donovan also raised funds in support of various programs, including RATPAC (Reading Achievement Through Publishing Activites), Starlab planetariums, TNT (Technologies Network Ties) and more.

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James H. Donovan Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control

Feb 03 2011 Published by under Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

As State Senator, James H. Donovan worked hard for his people. He had many varied interests vis-à-vis the people he served and one area in which he was very active was mental health.  In fact, a mere eight years after he was first elected, Donovan became the chairman of the Committee on Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control.

Mental hygiene is the standpoint of public health within the realm of psychiatry. The ideas under this umbrella have been brought into mainstream psychiatry via community health activists.  Mental hygiene differs from the general way mental illness is treated as it is more focused on prevention rather than later stage treatment.  It goes for early intervention in an effort to reduce the use of long-term or institutionalized care.  As well, the focus is very much on children since the thesis behind mental hygiene is that any type of mental dysfunction is related to experiences from early childhood.  Since Donovan was very involved in the education system as well, chairing this committee was a perfect fit for him as mental hygienists worked closely through the educational structure as well.

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James H. Donovan: Chairman of the Senate Education Committee

Jan 20 2011 Published by under Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

Senator James Donovan is likely most famous for his service as the chairman of the Senate Education Committee. He led this role for fourteen years, during which he expanded educational programs, worked to reduce teenage pregnancy and illiteracy and created the New York City School Construction Authority. This authority enabled new schools to be opened without difficulty.

When Senator Donovan died, Ralph J. Marino said, as senate majority leader, “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.”

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Utica’s Senator James Donovan Middle School

Jan 07 2011 Published by under Honors & Awards, Senator James H Donovan

Utica’s Senator James H Donovan Middle School is a school for sixth to eighth graders living in the Utica City District. The state’s test results give it a three out of ten rating in the GreatSchools Rating. However, it has an average rating of three out of five from the parental evaluation. The school was named after Senator Donovan in recognition of his contributions to education and schools in his senatorial district.

The school is a public school, which offers a specialized curriculum and educational philosophy. The school also works to “promote student diversity” by accepting students from outside the traditional school district boundaries. By doing so, the school often attracts high quality students through competitive programs.

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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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