31.   As a result, Kerry has become a central figure in a controversy touched off by a series of articles published last month by the San Jose Mercury News.

32.   As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee for six years, he was a central figure on tax, trade and health legislation.

33.   As in past interviews, Simpson reiterated his belief that Faye Resnick, a friend of his ex-wife, is a central figure in solving the mystery.

34.   Battie will be a central figure.

35.   Behind him lies a team without a coach, one on which he is a central figure in an uncertain situation.

36.   Borodin, a central figure in the mushrooming scandals of the past year, is also a close ally of both Putin and former president Boris Yeltsin.

37.   Bobby became a central figure in the family mythology, second only to Jack.

38.   A couple of central figures developed more deeply would have guaranteed the book the designation of instant classic.

39.   A small blond woman whose delicate features were once likened to porcelain, Mrs. Haggard was also a central figure in the literary social whirl.

40.   A staunch conservative from the bayou country below New Orleans, Foster has become a central figure in the gambling battle.