‘Miracle on Ice’ US Olympic Hockey Team Up for Congressional Gold Medals

The 1980 “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic hockey team could receive Congressional Gold Medals under a newly introduced bill.
On Tuesday, a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives seeks to award the hockey team with the medals for defeating the Soviet Union hockey team during the Cold War at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.
The bill was introduced by Republication Representative Pete Stauber of Minnesota, alongside Republican Representative Elise Stefanik of New York and Democratic Representative Mike Quigley of Illinois. The bill was dubbed the “Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act.”
“What they did for our country at that moment, I’ll never forget,” Stauber told The Associated Press (AP) in an interview this week. “It’s one of the defining sports moments in my lifetime, and I am so proud that we can give this Congressional Medal to each member of that Olympic team to say thank you for the memories we will never forget as a nation.”
The proposal calls for the creation of three commemorative medals: one for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minnesota, another for the Lake Placid Olympic Center, and a third to be displayed at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Stefanik said that the “Miracle on Ice” team “taught our nation how to believe in miracles.”
“The community is proud to be home of this historic and inspiring event, and as we work to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ‘Miracle on Ice,’ this legislation honors our Olympic victors for their legendary achievement,” Stefanik told the AP.
Stauber, who was 13 at the time of the 1980 games and later played at Lake Superior State before a stint in the minor leagues, has been working with USA Hockey to bring the proposal to the House floor. The measure is expected to be debated during the lame duck session of Congress after the upcoming November election.
“I don’t think anybody really has to think about whether they support it or not…I hope all 535 members of Congress reach the conclusion yes they deserve it and then the president signs it,” Stauber said.
The recent deaths of several key figures—including player Mark Wells in May, Mark Pavelich in 2021 and coach Herb Brooks in 2003—have brought a renewed sense of urgency to moving the proposal forward.
“The timing for all of us is of the essence because we want these members to be able to cherish and appreciate this during their lifetime,” Stauber said. “I think that bestowing this highest honor upon them is important.”
Stauber emphasized his commitment to pushing the legislation forward, saying he would work tirelessly to get it passed “the sooner the better.” February 22 will mark the 45th anniversary of Team USA’s iconic 4-3 victory over the Soviet Union, a pivotal moment on their path to Olympic gold, which they secured days later with a win over Finland to conclude the medal round.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.