31.   The succession of votes comes one week after a coalition of influential Christian groups launched a high-profile ad campign attacking homosexuality.

32.   There are few influential lobbying groups to fight for federal dollars, and the issue only surfaces at the national level occasionally.

33.   They included two current members and one former member of an influential group of scientists that advise the Northwest Power Planning Council.

34.   A United Nations-supervised referendum should be held to decide whether Tibet should remain under Chinese control, an influential group of jurists said Monday.

35.   An agreement that would allow a resumption of joint exercises has been opposed by several influential Philippine groups, including the Roman Catholic Church.

36.   An influential group of Roman Catholic bishops on Monday welcomed U.S. military help to eradicate the Abu Sayyaf but opposed any combat role for U.S. troops.

37.   An influential Muslim fundamentalist group called on Arab governments Friday to support armed struggle against Israel.

38.   Before he resigned, Ntezilyayo was accused by influential groups of Tutsi survivors of setting aside files of jailed Hutu genocide suspects in an effort to derail their trials.

39.   Before running for president, Bauer was head of the Family Research Council, an influential conservative group based in Washington.

40.   But he immediately apologized, which was accepted by the most influential Muslim group, the Indonesian Council of Ulemas.