In Memory of Senator James H. Donovan

Aug 09 2011 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

James Donovan, the beloved New York senator, is remembered as a “man of the people.” Before his death in 1991, Jim Donovan served as chairman of the US Senate Education Committee as well as several others.

After his death, Senator Donovan was honored by numerous institutions named in his memory, including: the Donovan Stadium at Murnane 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.

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Institutes Named for Senator James Donovan

Apr 19 2011 Published by under Honors & Awards, Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

A “man of the people,” Senator James Donovan influenced numerous aspects of New York’s education. Before his death, Jim Donovan served as chairman of the US Senate Education Committee for fourteen years, as well as chairman of a number of other committees.

When he passed away, Senator Donovan was recognized by various institutes named in his honor, such as the Donovan Stadium at Murnane 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.

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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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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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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.”

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