[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING JOE ``JOE Q'' QUATTRONE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2018

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
outstanding achievements of Joe Quattrone and his lifelong commitment 
to serving others.
  Mr. Quattrone was born in Reggio di Calabria, a town on the southern 
``toe'' of Italy. He grew up the child of farmers, seeing the tyranny 
of Benito Mussolini firsthand. Just before the outbreak of World War 
II, Joe's eldest brother came to America, whom Joe would follow fifteen 
years later, settling in Steubenville, Ohio.
  Upon arrival, Joe began work in his brother's restaurant. Shortly 
thereafter, he became a naturalized citizen, and served in the United 
States Air Force for one year, before returning to the family business. 
In 1960, Mr. Quattrone made a visit to Washington, D.C. He fell in love 
with the area, and moved here with his wife Rita. He continued working 
in the food industry, this time for a friend, while picking up extra 
work in construction. After five years on the job, he suffered a fall 
resulting in an inability to continue physical labor. Still needing 
work, a friend suggested barber school, and the rest is history.
  After a brief time in a private shop, Mr. Quattrone landed a job in 
the Pentagon. He worked there for a couple of years before moving to 
Andrews Air Force Base. While on base, there came an opening in the 
barber shop in the House of Representatives. With the help of his 
Congressman from Ohio, the late Wayne Hays, Mr. Quattrone was hired and 
began his service to the men and women of the Capitol on March 2, 1970, 
and has remained ever since.
  In the 48 years Mr. Quattrone has served his country, longer than any 
current member of Congress, he has met and chatted with an entire 
generation of lawmakers. Frequent clients over the years included 
President H. W. Bush, Vice President Gore, House Speaker Tip O'Neil, 
and Senator Ted Kennedy. He was especially close to then House Minority 
Leader, turned Vice President and President, Mr. Gerald Ford, cutting 
his hair just days before his assent to his final office, about which 
Joe would later remark, ``He had no idea it was coming.'' They remained 
lifelong friends, an admiration that was surely mutual.
  When Mr. Quattrone began his work, there were sixteen barbers 
employed in House office buildings. Today, he is one of only three 
left, all of whom are now located in the Rayburn Building. But given 
his status as an ``institution'' in Congress, his clients aren't ready 
to let him go just yet. Mr. Quattrone will tell you that the most 
important, and his favorite, part of the job has always stayed the 
same: he still gets to meet and talk with people every day. For many of 
us here, including myself, Joe Q. is family.
  His dedication to the people of New Jersey and our Capitol has 
impacted the lives of many, and serves as a role model for generations 
of public servants.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing and commemorating the 
achievements of dedicated men and women like Mr. Quattrone.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, family, friends, all 
those whose lives he has touched, and me, in recognizing the work of 
Joe Quattrone and his dedication to keeping Washington looking sharp.

                          ____________________