Alfonse Marcello "Al" D'Amato (born August 1, 1937) is an American lawyer and former New York politician. A Republican, he served as United States Senator from New York from 1981 to 1999 (Before being replaced by Chuck Schumer). He subsequently founded a lobbying firm, Park Strategies. There was some controversy over a VIP Party at The 9/11 museum where first responders and their families were turned away. D'Amato spoke about it.