Sentator James Donovan’s Accomplishments

Mar 29 2011 Published by under Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

Senator James Donovan is best known for his 14-year service as chairman of the Senate Education Committee of New York. However, James Donovan had many other roles as well, including chairman of both the Committee on Roads and Public Works, and the Committee on Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control. During his time as senator, Donovan also worked to reduce teenage pregnancy and promote literacy in teens throughout New York.

When he passed away at the age of 66, it was described as a “tremendous loss,” and the governor of New York added that Donovan’s “courageous struggle to overcome his illness served as an inspiration to us all.”

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Senator James Donovan’s Legacy

Mar 06 2011 Published by under Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

James Donovan is best known for his role as New York State Senator, but he contributed his state and his country in many additional ways as well. He served as chairman of the Senate Education Committee, the chairman of the Committee on Roads and Public Works, and the Committee on Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control. He created the New York City School Construction Authority, and served two tours of duty as a marine in World War II as well.

When Senator James Donovan passed away, 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.”

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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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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.

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Senator James H Donovan Middle School

Sep 01 2010 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

Last year the Senator James H Donovan Middle School made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress).  To do this, a school has to achieve certain levels of improvement as set out by the state of New York vis-à-vis student performance and other accountability measures.  This is under the No Child Left Behind program.    This school made that mark.

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Facilities Named for Senator James H Donovan

Aug 25 2010 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

The following facilities were named after Senator James H Donovan: 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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