The National Press Foundation recently announced that Paul Kane, a senior writer at Roll Call, was among the winners of the prestigious 2004 Everett McKinley Dirksen Awards for Distinguished Coverage of Congress.

Kane was recognized for stories dealing with the growing number of politicians connected to charities, including one published May 18 chronicling the role first lady Laura Bush played in raising $21 million, largely from corporate interests, for a charitable foundation bearing her name. Also named as a Dirksen winner was Julie Rovner of National Public Radio.

“Everyone at Roll Call takes great pride in Paul receiving this recognition,” Editor Tim Curran said. “We are thrilled that all his hard work has paid off in drawing such an honor against such strong competition.”

A graduate of the University of Delaware, Kane previously worked at States News Service and his been at Roll Call since 2000. He was named a senior writer in 2003.

Also recognized by the NPF were Martin Baron, the editor of The Boston Globe, who will receive the George Beveridge Editor of the Year Award; NBC News Washington bureau chief and “Meet the Press” host Tim Russert, who won the Sol Taishoff Award for Broadcasting Excellence; and Seymour Hersh of The New Yorker, who will receive the W.M. Kiplinger Award for Distinguished Contributions to Journalism.

Self-syndicated cartoonist John Sherffius was named Berryman Cartoonist of the Year, while Al Fitzpatrick, a retired Gannett Newspapers editor, will receive the Chairman’s Citation for Overall Excellence in Journalism. CNN.com will receive the award for Excellence in Online Journalism.

Winners will be honored at the NPF’s 22nd annual fundraising dinner on Feb. 17, 2005, a black-tie affair at the Washington Hilton Hotel.