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.”

Comments are off for this post

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.

Comments are off for this post

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.

Comments are off for this post

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.

Comments are off for this post

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.”

Comments are off for this post

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.

Comments are off for this post

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.

Comments are off for this post

Senator James H Donovan and the Americanism Award

Sep 15 2010 Published by under Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

In 1972 Senator James H Donovan received the Americanism Award, Knights of Columbus, New York State Council.  Also known as the American Legion Post 694, this award is given to sites with Americanism in their themes.  Those receiving the award must have shown the United States of America very favorably as well as having shown strong authoring skills.    Many very distinguished honorees have received the Americanism Award in the past and it is indeed one of the organization’s “highest awards” given out.

Comments are off for this post

James H Donovan and the U.S. Senate Education Committee

Sep 08 2010 Published by under Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

Today, the US Senate Education Committee is chaired by Senator Tom Harkin.  He was the Iowa representative for 35 years, having first been elected to the US House in 1974.  Representing Iowa’s Fifth Congressional District until 1984, Harkin challenged an incumbent Senator and won.  He became the first Iowa Democrat to win a fifth term in the Senate.  Today he chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.  Senator James H Donovan was named chairman of the US Senate Education Committee in 1977 which was probably what most gave him his prestige.  Hence various schools and educational institutes are named after him today.

Comments are off for this post

Life of Senator James H. Donovan

Aug 16 2010 Published by under General

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.”

Comments are off for this post

« Newer posts