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Ron Kind was mentioned in RECOGNIZING NATIONAL COURT REPORTING AND CAPTIONING WEEK..... on page E120 covering the 1st Session of the 117th Congress published on Feb. 8, 2021 in the Congressional Record.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

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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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 23

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