[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 73 (Monday, April 27, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Tribute to Mario D'Angelo

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I often come to the floor to talk about 
milestones in the history of this institution, the U.S. Senate. Today, 
I pay tribute to a member of our Senate family who has devoted half a 
century of service to this institution.
  In 1976, Mario D'Angelo was hired by the Senate Sergeant at Arms to 
manage all barbershops in the U.S. Capitol, including the Senate 
barbershop. As manager, he supervised a remodel of what was then called 
the ``Senators only'' barbershop, before it closed in 1981. I think, 
today, we wonder: Why would they ever have a ``Senators only'' 
barbershop? So, finally, Senators had to sit with every other client to 
get a haircut.
  Prior to his job in the U.S. Senate, Mario worked briefly on the 
House side, helping prepare mail and other documents for distribution.
  Now, Mario was born in Italy. You might say he was born with a pair 
of silver scissors in his hand. His dad Domenico was also a barber.
  Mario came to America at the age of 12. Eventually, he followed in 
his father's footsteps. For nearly a decade, Mario worked as a barber 
with his dad and uncle, before his employment here on U.S. Capitol 
Hill.
  At some point in the 1990s, the Senate barbershop merged with the 
women's beauty shop, located in the basement of the Russell Senate 
Office Building. To this day, Senate Hair Care serves lawmakers, 
employees, and residents here on Capitol Hill.
  I have been a regular customer of Mario's for many, many years. With 
my busy schedule in Washington and traveling back and forth to Iowa 
when the Senate is not in session, I am grateful to be able to get a 
quick haircut. I don't like to waste time like, hopefully, my fellow 
Senators don't want to. And when I sit down in Mario's barbershop, I 
know I can count on quick, competent service, delivered with 
professionalism and precision.
  Some Americans think Congress gets free haircuts. I can assure you 
that is not the case. I hope the Iowans that come to my town meetings 
and ask me a question, from time to time--they get this question off 
the internet: How come you Senators don't pay Social Security taxes? 
And how come you get free haircuts?
  I have been telling them for 45 years that has never been the case, 
but they still tend to believe what they read on the internet.
  So, finally, I am here to, once again, congratulate Mario on 50 years 
of service here in the U.S. Senate. I consider Mario a friend. I have 
no doubt that his work ethic carries on through his sons Michael and 
Nicholas and four grandchildren: Alexander, Isabella, Gabriel, and Lio.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.