1.   Bamattre, under pressure from Riordan and the City Council, agreed last year to reduce the number of staff assistants.

2.   A bill passed by the Senate would prohibit members of Congress and their staff assistants from accepting gifts, meals and entertainment from anyone except legitimate friends and relatives.

3.   A staff assistant taps on the door because she wants Dennis to see a pretty, smiling woman in a long strapless gown.

4.   A staff assistant looked up, dishearteningly blank.

5.   Congressional staff assistants and several tax lawyers who have scrutinized the legislation said they believe this is the only provision in this tax bill that affects just one taxpayer.

6.   He calls a staff assistant into the room to testify to his unfailing sensitivity for the underdog, then dismisses her from the room.

7.   He succeeds Robert S. Dove, who was dismissed last week because of frustration over his rulings on tax and budget matters, a Republican staff assistant said.

8.   He was surrounded by a couple of Rangers staff assistants and had his head down.

9.   His office staff consists of another lawyer, a staff assistant and an intern.

10.   No other congressional staff assistant has ever been featured on TV so regularly.