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| http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=48448
Despite the US State Department's tit-for-tat retaliation in the wake of the
latest espionage scandal involving a US Naval Attache in Caracas, the Venezuelan
Embassy in Washington, D.C. says that the John Graham Emergency Service Shelter
in Vergennes (Vermont) has today been witness to the continuing commitment of
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to work towards aiding the poor, be they in
Venezuela, the United States or in any other place in the world.
US Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) joined Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez,
CITGO CEO Felix Rodriquez, Citizens Energy President Joseph Kennedy, and
representatives of the Vermont Fuel Dealers and the Champlain Valley Office of
Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) for the first delivery of fuel under the new
discounted heating oil program established by the Government of the Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela and the State of Vermont ... the first delivery was made
to the John Graham Emergency Service Shelter.
Under the deal brokered by Rep. Sanders, more than 2.5 million gallons of
discounted heating oil will be brought into Vermont. Of that, 2.4 million
gallons of the oil will be sold at a 40 percent discount to individual
participants of Vermont's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP),
Crisis Fuel Assistance Program, and WARMTH Program. The remaining 108,000
gallons of heating oil will be distributed free of charge to homeless shelters
throughout Vermont.
"I am very pleased that we were able to establish this program and bring
much-needed relief to thousands of senior citizens and low-income families,"
said Rep. Sanders. "At a time when home heating oil costs are skyrocketing, this
discounted fuel will help ensure that no one in Vermont goes cold this winter. I
want to thank the Venezuelan government, CITGO, Citizens Energy, CVOEO, the
Vermont Fuel Dealers Association and the State of Vermont for their hard work in
making this happen," he continued.
Under the program, CITGO will work with CVOEO and Citizens Energy, both
non-profit organizations, to distribute the discounted oil. Citizens Energy will
purchase over 2.5 million gallons of heating oil at a 40 percent discount from
CITGO. The State of Vermont and CVOEO will be responsible for identifying
low-income families and individuals using the same criteria used for the
distribution of federal heating assistance benefits under LIHEAP, the Crisis
Fuel Program and WARMTH.
"This is not about politics, nor is it not about oil ... this is about our
government in Venezuela acting as a good neighbor, and stepping in to do the
right thing. This arrangement represents the strong ties between the people of
the U.S. and the people of Venezuela, helping each other through tough times,
since we are all Americans," said Ambassador Alvarez. "We are happy to give
back to the communities in which CITGO does business. Low-income Americans were
hit hard by rising fuel prices following the hurricane tragedies, and with this
gesture, hopefully no one in Vermont will be left out in the cold this winter,"
said Felix Rodriguez, CEO of CITGO Petroleum Corporation.
"We're proud to work with my good friend, Congressman Bernie Sanders, and
CITGO to help relieve the burden of high energy prices on the poor," said
Citizens Energy Chairman Joseph P. Kennedy II. "Congressman Sanders has devoted
his whole career to helping those in need. For their part, Felix Rodriguez and
CITGO have shown extraordinary concern for ordinary people who are struggling to
stay warm. Together, we're working to make sure that no one is left out in the
cold."
Thousands of low-income individuals will receive a letter from the State of
Vermont instructing them to contact participating fuel dealers or their CAP
Agency to purchase the discounted oil, and Vermont fuel dealers will also be
contacting their low-income clients about this program. Customers may purchase
up to 200 gallons of fuel at the discounted price. Vermonters can call
1-866-851-9080 toll free for more information about the program.
* President Hugo Chavez of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela promised to
set up the program in several areas during a visit to New York City in September
2005.
The deal in Vermont comes on the heels of last weekend's launch of the program
in the Philadelphia area and is the sixth state to benefit from the initiative.
In addition to Philadelphia and Vermont, the program is ongoing in Maine,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the Bronx borough of New York City.
http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=48448
Alan
"Can't you see we're still here,
Can't you see we're still here,
Singing loud; Singing clear,
We shall not go under,
We're still here."
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