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.