Senator James Donovan served the state of New York for twenty five years, and is most known for his fourteen-year role as chairman of the Senate Education Committee. Senator Donovan was only sixty-six when he died, but his impressive accomplishments have kept his legacy alive to this day. Remembered as a “man of the people,” Donovan’s work included lessening teenage pregnancy and illiteracy, as well as establishing the New York City School Construction Authority. The Senator was also honored with various awards, and after his death, many schools and other educational facilities were named in his memory.
Mario M. Cuomo was the New York Governor at the time of Donovan’s death. All state building flags were ordered lowered, and Cuomo described Donovan’s death as a “tremendous loss,” and added that his “courageous struggle to overcome his illness served as an inspiration to us all.”