[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 23 (Monday, February 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING NATIONAL COURT REPORTING AND CAPTIONING WEEK

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 8, 2021

  Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, today, we recognize Court Reporting and 
Captioning Week. Court reporters and captioners are highly trained 
professionals who share a unique ability to convert the spoken word to 
text that can be read, streamed, broadcast, searched, and archived. 
This specialization includes broadcast captioning and realtime 
translation services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing, as 
well as providing near-instant translation in legal and other settings. 
Approximately 48 million Americans are considered deaf or hard-of-
hearing, and the captioning services of realtime writers and 
stenographic captioners ensure that all Americans have equal access to 
news and other vital information.
  In the 116th Congress, I reintroduced the Training for Realtime 
Writers Act, which would reauthorize the Training for Realtime Writers 
Grant Program and encourage careers in realtime writing and court 
reporting, provide scholarships for students, and modernizes curriculum 
to adapt to our changing world. I was proud to have my bill included in 
the 2008 Higher Education Act Reauthorization and in the College 
Affordability Act of the 116th Congress.
  The Training for Realtime Writers Grant Program has been successful 
in training the current generation of captioners and court reporters 
and has aided in the rapid growth of these professions. By 
reauthorizing the Training for Realtime Writers grants, students will 
have the opportunity to enter a technical, well-paid, and highly 
skilled career that will allow them to become court reporters and 
captioners immediately upon graduation.
  I want to acknowledge the court reporters and captioners in the House 
of Representatives, especially those who were on the House floor on 
January 6, 2021, when insurrectionists breached the Capitol. Their work 
is crucial to the sustained function of our government, and I thank 
them for their service and dedication to our country.
  From maintaining the integrity of our democracy to ensuring every 
citizen stays up to date on today's 24-hour news cycle, realtime 
writers are vital to Americans in all communities. Over the past 
decade, this program has encouraged a new generation of realtime 
writers to enter this vital field. I am proud to work with the National 
Court Reporters Association and with my friend Rep. Rodney Davis to 
reauthorize this program so we can continue to increase awareness and 
interest in this profession.

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