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Aloha!

Jan told me two or three months ago to start working on my speech because time would get away from me. And guess what? I had great intentions, but time got away from me. My husband told me the other night we could each drink a 6-pack and knock it out in no time.

In reflecting on how to address all of you tonight, I need to let you know, I'm not as eloquent as my dear friend and colleague, Jan, was in DC-Alexandria last year. And, wow, how about her president's messages? They have been awesome. I also won't be as brief as some of our past speeches, which I'm sure will disappoint many of you; but I promise not to be too long so everyone can enjoy this beautiful evening and this amazing venue.

I would first like to thank a few people.

How about the Kea Lani Staff? Haven't they been wonderful? Please give them a hand.

Jan, what can I say? Being presented this prestigious Blumberg Award is so humbling and even more of an honor having it presented by someone like you. I have such big shoes to fill. You amaze me. When Jan and I met and started on the board over 10 years ago, we immediately hit it off. Through our work together not only with the board but also the convention committee, that relationship has developed into a beautiful friendship that I will treasure all of my life. I truly admire you. Thank you.

Bill, our right hand man, thank you for all you do. We couldn't survive without you.

I'd like to thank my family – my husband, John; my son, Nick; and his wife, Megan, the daughter I never had. Megan is a court reporter in the state system in Iowa. I am so proud of your work ethic and professionalism. Thank you for always supporting me and putting up with all my activities and endeavors.
A special thanks to Lynn Clark and her husband, Reid, for traveling from South Caroline to be here and swearing the officers in.

Thirty-four years ago Lynn, Linda Egbers who is also here in Hawaii with us, Brenda Fauber who is a former USCRA president, and I began our journey together at AIB in Des Moines to become court reporters. What great careers we have experienced and will continue to have. We are truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful profession.

Now, I am one of those "the glass is half full" persons, but I have some very sobering and tough things to talk about this evening. For years we have had the threat of ER, electronic recording, and we've dodged the bullet many a time. And I know I may be preaching to the choir because those of you who are here have invested in your future and are here supporting our organization and get it. Unfortunately, many have buried their head in the sand.

I want to retire as a federal official. I want Megan to be able to retire as a court reporter. I want Samantha, my 2-year-old granddaughter, if she so chooses, to have the opportunity to be a court reporter. Right now, the outlook is pretty bleak that that will be a reality. Folks, this is serious business. With the economy and cost-containment issues, our jobs are in jeopardy, as is our profession.

We are the guardians of the record. As Judge Kobayashi stated in her keynote yesterday, we are responsible for maintaining the perimeter in our judicial system. Inch by inch, we have been asked to compromise, and we must fight to maintain our integrity. We must embrace technology. We HAVE to provide realtime. Every single reporter needs to write realtime. If you aren't certified, work to become certified. Either way, you still need to provide realtime to your judges, offer it to the law clerks, deputy clerks, probation. Make yourselves indispensible. Make yourselves an integral and an essential component of our judicial system.

We all have many talents. Obviously, public speaking isn't one of mine. Seriously, we are all talented professionals and each of us brings various things to the table and we must utilize them. Our nation has gone thru many tough times and has always risen above. USCRA must rise above. There are 725 federal official court reporters of which about 400 are members of USCRA. As Walt Disney said, "All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles have strengthened me…. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." The historical and most recent adversity and challenges are our opportunity and realization, a call from complacency to action.

In closing, the circuit representatives, the executive committee and especially me need your help. As Brandon Parades quoted when speaking of the Hawaiian culture, "Only those unified can move forward." I know if we work together, we will rise above.

We are all familiar with President John F. Kennedy's famous call to service. To paraphrase the president, "Ask not what USCRA can do for you, but what you can do for USCRA."

Thank you.

Terri Martin, USCRA President
Room 189, U.S. Courthouse
123 East Walnut Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Work: 515/284-6444
Fax: 515/323-2928
uscrapresident@gmail.com