Senator James Donovan is best known for his 14 years as chairman of the U.S. Senate Education Committee. However, he also served as chairman for the Committee on Roads and Public Works, the Committee of Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control, and the Select Committee on Mentally and Physically Handicapped.

Following his death in 1991, dozens of institutes were named in his honor. These include the Donovan Stadium at Murname Field, the James H. Donovan Science and Technology Building, Senator James Donovan Room, Donovan Memorial Park, Oneida County Republican Committee Headquarters, the James H. Donovan Education Resource Center and the James H. Donovan Community Center Building.