Evangelistic Outreach Ministries
Calvin Evans - Director
P.O. Box 56
Pedro, OH  45659
Phone: 740-532-2116
Fax: 740-532-5855
1-800-767-8713
www.calvinevans.org

November 17, 2003

Dear Petition Review Commission:

I am the Director of a non-profit religious corporation that has been involved 
in television since 1970.  We produce and distribute a half-hour weekly 
program that is completely viewer supported and has the highest impact in the 
Applachian area where we are located. 

I am writing to request an exemption of the Closed Captioning Requirements for 
2004.  The petition is not based on our lack of desire to have the captioning.  
In fact, we have done all we can in the past to benefit the viewers with 
physical challenges that could prevent them from enjoying our productions.  
For several years, we produced our programs at a studio that allowed us an 
additional camera shot so an individual could use “sign language” for the 
hearing impaired.  However, the station now uses new technology and curtailed 
our ability to continue to use that outlet.  So we immediately began searching 
for a closed captioning company to assist us. 

After much research, we have found it to cost about $450 weekly to add the 
necessary captioning to our broadcast.  Since it is viewer supported, the 
income has dropped drastically and we operate on a minimal budget.  The 
increase in production cost would cause us to curtail our programming on many, 
if not all, of our television outlets.  Also, our outreach is greatly involved 
in humanitarian projects for the poor.  We do not charge administrative costs 
to these projects.  All of the additional annual cost of over $23,000 for 
captioning would force us to cut out many of those programs.  The majority of 
markets that air our programs are suffering greatly economically. Again, this 
cost would be devastating to our corporation and to the people we can help 
without the additional costs to us.  For the past three consecutive years this 
corporation has sustained financial losses.  The expense of captioning next 
year could bring us to pint of financial demise.  We will utilize all the 
graphics and character generated information possible in each program to 
assure the viewers of our desire to assist them and make them aware of program 
content. 

Again, it is our desire to have closed captioning.  The problem we face is 
adequate funds to allow us to do so.  Therefore, please review my request for 
exemption of closed captioning in 2004.  Please contact me if you have any 
questions.  Your prompt assistance is greatly appreciated.  I look forward to 
hearing from you. 

Sincerely Yours,

Calvin Ray Evans, Director
Evangelistic Outreach Inc.