Senator James H. Donovan was known as a “man of the people,” having served as chairman of the Senate Education Committee of New York for fourteen years.
His death 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.”
Following his death, Senator 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 this state’s top priority.”