Occupation: member of Congress. Political training: aide to US Representative James Shannon, 1979-81; Massachusetts Deputy Secretary of State for Securities and Corporations, 1986-90; Middlesex County First Assistant District Attorney, 1990-92.

Question: Given the current economic climate, what are your priorities for the budget surplus and why?

Answer: Over the past eight years, our nation's economy has made great strides. Unemployment in Massachusetts has declined from 7.5 percent to 2.9 percent. The hard work of the American people spurred this turnaround. At the same time, federal policies have helped create an economic climate that rewards those who work hard and play by the rules. Tough fiscal choices transformed a $290 billion 1992 federal budget deficit to a projected $211 billion surplus in 2000, resulting in lower interest rates on home mortgages and car and student loans.

Our priorities for the federal budget surplus must reflect these goals, sustain our prosperity, honor our commitment to seniors, and ensure that all Americans have the tools they need to succeed in the 21st century economy. We should lock away the Social Security and Medicare surpluses and use a significant portion of the on-budget surpluses to eliminate our nation's publicly held debt by 2012. Paying down the debt will save the government enormous interest payments, with the savings dedicated to extending the lives of Social Security and Medicare trust funds. Eliminating the debt should also help keep interest rates low.

We can eliminate the publicly held debt and provide targeted tax relief to middle-class and working families. Indeed, we can afford to do both and establish a Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors. Finally, we must invest in a world-class education for our children, by helping reduce class size, rebuild crumbling schools, and put technology in the classroom.