A spokeswoman for the hospital defended its procedures.

A spokeswoman for the lottery defended the use of Dostoyevsky's image as a public service.

A spokeswoman for Ms. Norton defended the phone calls.

Today, a spokeswoman for the Agriculture Department defended its record and said the department was moving to tighten inspections after years of neglect.

But a spokeswoman for the Hyatt defended the hotel, saying that records had to be subpoenaed because of the hotel's policy insuring guests' privacy.

A spokeswoman for the department defended Mr. Bowers's performance, saying he had done "exemplary work" in the past.

A spokeswoman for Halliburton, Wendy Hall, defended the company's pricing.

A spokeswoman for the bank said it had done nothing wrong and would defend itself in court.

A spokeswoman for the British Foreign Office defended the choice of targets.

A spokeswoman for Virgin Blue defended the decision.