31.   House Republican leaders defended the plan, saying the business provisions would give companies an incentive to invest and beef up their payrolls.

32.   I did not believe that the FBI and the attorney general were trying to force me to support or defend the plan.

33.   In Congress, few lawmakers defend the plan amid growing Republican calls for bringing the issue to a vote.

34.   Indeed, a carefully designed indexing plan could be defended.

35.   Jones defended the plan.

36.   Kemp can be expected to defend the plan with more fervor than Dole.

37.   Lazio defended the plan again Sunday, attacking his opponent for asserting that his numbers understate the effect on the economy.

38.   Mayor Rudolph Giuliani defended his plan to ban alcohol at all street fairs Tuesday, saying it would reduce violence and improve the quality of life in the city.

39.   Oakland school officials defend their plan as employing tools that help students master standard English.

40.   On Wednesday night, in a previously-scheduled appearance on WTIC Radio in Hartford, Auriemma defended his plan and said he would do it again.