Holy Spirit School in New Hyde Park, presented New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School Board President James Kane with a Distinguished Graduate Award.

Kane, a longtime resident of New Hyde Park, graduated from Holy Spirit School in 1971. He attended Holy Cross High School and went to Adelphi University where he received a BBA degree. After Adelphi he attended graduate school at John Jay College, in Manhattan where he received a master's degree in public administration.

He joined the New York City Fire Department and before long he was promoted to the rank of captain. He is also a volunteer member of New Hyde Park Fire Department.

Kane and his wife Patricia settled in New Hyde Park where they are raising their three children Christopher 16, Lauren 14 and Michael 11. He spends any free time he has coaching baseball and basketball.

He was elected as a trustee to the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School Board and in 2001 he was re-elected to the board and selected by the board members to be their president.

In presenting the Holy Spirit Award to Kane Holy Spirit Principal Denise Seck said, "In our hectic life, along with its daily stress, we often forget to thank those who do the silent work of a hero. Today we will stop and honor James Kane for his commitment to his faith and his commitment to his fellow man."