[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12703]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE HON. JAMES B. KANE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 2014

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Honorable 
James B. Kane Jr., distinguished veteran and former chief 
administrative judge for the New York State Supreme Court, Eighth 
Judicial District of Western New York, on the occasion of his 90th 
Birthday.
  Born July 21, 1924 to Helen and James B. Kane Sr., Judge Kane 
enlisted in the Army Air Forces at 18 years of age. Quickly, this young 
man from Navaho Parkway in South Buffalo, New York found himself over 
Europe as a navigator on a B-17 ``Flying Fortress'' bomber. Shot down 
twice over a span of thirty missions, First Lieutenant Kane was one of 
two survivors of a nine man crew that had just bombed a German rail 
yard and survived another attack close to Berlin.
  His calm, cool courage under fire earned him the Distinguished Flying 
Cross, an Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters and other notable 
recognitions by the time this he was 20 years old and back home in 
Buffalo. He then enrolled in Canisius College, working as a City of 
Buffalo firefighter and using the G.I. Bill to pay his tuition. 
Georgetown Law School was the next stop for this veteran.
  Following graduation, the practice of law and the art of politics 
would set the path for this outstanding jurist as he rose from Buffalo 
City Court to Erie County Family Court to serving with great 
distinction on the New York State Supreme Court, during which time his 
leadership and steady hand as chief administrative judge for the Eighth 
Judicial District earned praise in all corners of the community. His 
more than capable stewardship earned him many honors including awards 
from Canisius College as well as the Erie County Bar Association.
  While Judge Kane's outstanding and lifelong commitment to the law and 
public service is worthy of recognition, it is his devotion to family 
which earns him our highest praise and greatest appreciation. A devoted 
husband to Marie for more than 60 years, the Judge and Mrs. Kane are 
the proud parents of 10 children and 14 grandchildren. His only 
brother, Donald, passed away earlier this year but their unbreakable 
bond remains a strong and shining example to their families and all who 
saw them together of the true meaning of brotherly love.
  On July 20, the family and friends of this extraordinary man will 
gather at the home of his son, Orchard Park Village Judge Daniel Kane 
and his wife, Dr. Kathleen Kane, to celebrate and congratulate Judge 
James B. Kane Jr. for 90 years of exemplary leadership and dedication 
to his country, community, family and faith.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful nation, I am proud to offer my 
best wishes for continued health and happiness to Judge Kane, his wife, 
Marie and his loving, large and very proud family.

                          ____________________