Reply #19: Yes, it is! I went to see if I could find a photo of one of the first years,

[Judi Lynn]

found this one, with Massachusetts William Delahunt, Edward Markey to his right, and Joe Kennedy in the blue coat:



~~~~ click for photo ~~~~

The man in the hat at the microphone, in the 2nd photo, is the Venezuelan Ambassador, Bernardo Alvarez.

Massachusetts in energy deal with Venezuela
Deal provides discounted oil to needy in state

updated 2:25 p.m. CT, Tues., Nov. 22, 2005
QUINCY, Mass. - Venezuelan officials signed a deal Tuesday to ship 12 million gallons (45 million liters) of discounted home heating oil to poor Americans in Massachusetts as part of plan by Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez to help needy U.S. communities.

The fuel is being offered by Citgo Petroleum Corp., a subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company which runs roughly 16,000 gas stations in the U.S.

U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, who helped broker the deal, called the agreement "an expression of humanitarianism at its very best," and rejected criticism that the move was motivated by politics. Chavez often blames the plight of the poor on unbridled capitalism and had criticized U.S. President George W. Bush's government for failing to reduce poverty.

"This is a gesture about people," said Delahunt, a Democrat.

Delahunt said the agreement could set an example for U.S. oil companies. Congressional leaders have asked the companies to use some of their profits to fund heating fuel assistance programs for low-income residents.

"I just hope that this sends a message, and that other oil companies will step and help also," Delahunt said.

More:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10157028/



Gov. Baldacci got Venezuelan heating oil for Maine.



Congressman Jose Serrano, Citgo President Felix Rodriguez,
Shaun M. Belle, President and CEO of Mount Hope Housing
Company on hand the first day heating oil was delivered
to the Bronx the very first year.