New Hartford, New York
Senator James H. Donovan was known as a man of conviction and principles. He began his career in public service when he was elected to the Chadwicks Board of Education in 1959. Soon after he became the New Hartford Town Councilman in 1961 and then in 1963 was elected to be the Town Supervisor. In 1965 He began his long career of 25 years in the New York State Senate.
Majority leader Ralph J. Marino said of Senator Donovan that he was a “man of principle and courage.” One of the many things he is remembered for is his annual fight to remove Medicaid funding for abortions from the state budget. He was also a supporter of the death penalty, and, according to Mr. Marino, mad a lasting contribution to education in New York State.