The International Mustache Hall of Fame, an endeavor of the American Mustache Institute (AMI) to canonize the superior attractiveness of people of facial hair, today unveiled its third hallowed class featuring mustache luminaries ranging from Ambrose Burnside to Richard Pryor. Presented by CanYouHandlebar, the Hall celebrates the “sexually dynamic rugged attractiveness” of the global people of facial hair and “militantly works to combat the long-standing discrimination against those who embrace the lifestyle,” as the institute noted in a press release.

“With our newly elected hall of fame class, we commemorate the passing of our last American president of Mustached American heritage – William Howard Taft,” said Dr. Adam Paul Causgrove, AMI chief executive. “We also offer a hearty ‘you’re welcome’ to the global facial hair community, reminding all that enshrinement into this hall of fame is perhaps the most arduous yet ruggedly attractive achievement among its peer organizations, and we hope it sets the tone for handsomeness moving forward.”

The third class of inductees features facial hair luminaries including former Rhode Island Gov. Ambrose Everett Burnside, German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, comic Richard Pryor, National Football League legend Larry Csonka, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.

“There was robust debate regarding Gen. Burnside due to his acceptance of extra-follicular growth aside from the traditional lower-nose region,” noted Dr. Causgrove, while sitting on a weight bench in a park drinking a tall-boy of Busch Light. “But he’s done so much for the Mustached American community that in examining his entire body of work it was an easy choice.”

The 2017 class marks the most diverse class to date, including the Hall’s first female inductee, Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

“Really it was only a matter of time,” added Dr. Causgrove. Frida has always been in the top five and this year the support for her was truly overwhelming. We’ve said time and again at the Institute, it’s not about size. It’s about accepting and celebrating, and Frida did that on her own terms and it just so happened to also be amazing art at the same time.”

While the International Mustache Hall of Fame remains virtual, a search for a physical location is underway in Pittsburgh in partnership with city officials and local dignitaries. Enshrinement into the Hall follows a deeply scientific process overseen through a partnership among the Dept. of Nuclear Mustacheology at the American Mustache Institute, the German-based Bertelsmann Foundation, the British-based Science and Technology Policy Research Institute, and principal architect of CanYouHandlebar, arguably the best beard and mustache product available.