In addition to the many activities taking place across the country in celebration of 2026 Court Reporting & Captioning Week being observed Feb. 7-14, a number of judges and governors have also weighed in by recognizing the week.
Congressional Recognition
On Feb. 3, Rep. James R. Walkinshaw, who represents the congressional district where NCRA’s Reston, Va., headquarters are located, rose before the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize 2026 Court Reporting & Captioning Week.
“Court reporters and captioners are essential to the fair administration of justice. By creating precise and impartial records of court proceedings, they safeguard due process, protect the rights of individuals, and ensure that judicial decisions are grounded in a complete and reliable record. Their work is foundational to accountability, transparency, and public confidence in our courts,” he said.
“Court Reporting and Captioning Week highlights both the technical skills required in this profession and its importance to public protection and the rule of law. Court reporters and captioners serve throughout our justice system, ensuring that proceedings at all levels are accurately recorded and accessible for future use.”
Read Rep. Walkinshaw’s entire comments that appeared in the Congressional Record here.
From the Bench
A press release issued Feb. 5 by the North Carolina Supreme Court announced that Chief Justice Paul Newby proclaimed the week of Feb.7-14 as Court Reporting and Captioning Week in the Judicial Branch.
In the release, Newby is quoted saying “Court reporters transform the spoken word into text and preserve the history in our civil and criminal courtrooms, ensuring that proper appellate review can occur and that justice is preserved throughout our great state. Our court reporters are indispensable, and we set aside this week to recognize their important contribution to delivering justice without favor, denial, or delay.”
Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric S. Rosen also signed an order recognizing the week and celebrating the work of court reporters across the state in Kansas. In a press release announcing the order, Rosen said court reporters are essential in delivering fair, impartial justice in the state, and noted: “These modern-day scribes document court proceedings in complete and accurate records. In cases on appeal, we rely on that record to learn what happened in the courtroom.”
NCRA President Cindy Isaacsen, RPR, was also quoted in the press release and shared that the path to becoming a court reporter can be shorter than that of other careers.
“It can take on average as little as two years to complete a stenographic court reporting program, allowing those who choose this career the ability for nearly instant employment without the debt of a four-year college degree,” said Isaacsen, an official court reporter from Shawnee, Kan., who works in the 10th Judicial District, which is Johnson County.
“Every case is an opportunity to learn something new and work with different people. You might work a property trial one week then a criminal trial the next, so you’ll never be bored,” Isaacsen added.
To learn more about what judges appreciate about official court reporters, read the article on page 12 of the February issue of the JCR magazine, which features interviews with several judges who work with NCRA members.
State Recognition
Official proclamations recognizing the week have also been obtained in several states, including in Ohio, where Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel celebrated the event by declaring Feb. 7-14 the state’s official 2026 Court Reporting and Captioning Week. The proclamation was secured by members of the Ohio Court Reporters Association.
Members of the Alabama Court Reporters Association were also successful in securing an official proclamation signed by Gov. Kay Ivey recognizing the week in that state.
Members of the Wisconsin Court Reporters Association were also successful in securing a proclamation from that state’s Gov. Tony Evers.
Remember, for the latest in 2026 CR&CW logos, media advisories, press releases, and more, be sure to visit the 2026 CR&CW resources page. NCRA’s Communications team is here to help you promote the profession. Have a press release or media advisory you want to share? Send it to pr@ncra.org and we will be happy to distribute it to your local media outlets at no cost. Have an idea for a new Court Reporting & Captioning Week resource? Share it with us at pr@ncra.org.
No matter how you celebrate 2026 Court Reporting & Captioning Week, be sure to share your stories and photos with NCRA’s Communications team at pr@ncra.org or post on social media using #CRCW2026.
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