21.   Cierpiot is a co-founder of FIRED UP, a group that favored seeking a constitutional amendment to overturn city ordinances that grant special protection to homosexuals.

22.   Critics say the drug industry has built its influence on Capitol Hill with generous campaign contributions and is using that influence to obtain special protection for its products.

23.   Connie Mackey, vice president of government affairs for the conservative Family Research Council, argued that the bill still would provide special protections to gays.

24.   Consumer advocates like Ralph Nader and some public health officials have argued that cigarette makers should not be granted any special protection.

25.   Do they need special protection?

26.   Echoing the concerns of other opponents of the Kennedy language, Hatch warned that singling out certain groups for special protection is unconstitutional.

27.   From the start Plisetskaya bore special vulnerability as well as special protection.

28.   Gay rights organizations say the civil-rights laws are a necessary defense against discrimination, but some conservative groups argue that they constitute special protection for homosexuals.

29.   Gravano is being held in an undisclosed federal prison, under special protection, Krantz said.

30.   Gravano is in an undisclosed federal prison, and Krantz said he is housed in a wing under special protection.