WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act today. This legislation honors the 1980 Olympic Men’s Hockey Team’s improbable victory over the four-time reigning champion Russian Olympic team. Against all odds, the American team of amateur collegiate hockey players, including former University of North Dakota hockey player Dave Christian, defeated the Russian team in the semifinals on their way to win gold while cementing the game’s legacy as the Miracle on Ice.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice game. To commemorate this extraordinary achievement, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act which awards three Congressional Gold Medals to be displayed at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota, and the Lake Placid Olympic Center in New York. A companion measure was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) and unanimously passed earlier this year.

“The Miracle on Ice victory is one of those events that many, many people will never forget,” said Cramer. “In fact, many people I talk to will never forget where they were when it happened. It’s just one of those iconic things of history that’s a celebration of American excellence. At a time when we really needed something to bring us together, the 1980 Men’s Hockey team pulled off the win of the century at the time and it's an honor to recognize this achievement with this Congressional Gold Medal. I look forward to when it finally gets signed and we have the ceremony in the rotunda of the United States Capitol and probably one at the White House as well.” 

“What happened on the ice in Lake Placid in 1980 showed the world the power of America’s fighting spirit,” said Schumer. “Against all odds, the 1980 Winter Olympic U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team prevailed over the vaunted Soviet Red Army juggernaut and went on to be Olympic Gold Medal champions. They showed grit, determination, and pride for their country that helped propel them to victory when no one thought it was possible. These 20 amateur athletes sparked pride and patriotism across the nation that has inspired generations of Americans since. That’s why I’m proud the Senate has just passed our bipartisan legislation to award Congressional Gold Medals commemorating one of the greatest sports moments in American history. Great moments are born from great challenge, and the Congressional Gold Medal will ensure this amazing story’s legacy continues on for generations to come.”

“Forty-five years ago, our nation witnessed the greatest sports moment in American history when a team of young hockey players defeated the dominant Soviet Union team at the Lake Placid Olympic Games and made us all believe in miracles once again,” said Pete Stauber. “Minnesotans played an integral role in achieving this historic victory, which is why I have been proud to lead this effort in the House, and an ecstatic to see it pass the Senate today. These American hockey heroes deserve to be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, and we are now one step closer to seeing that happen.”

“What an amazing day,” said Pat Kelleher, Executive Director of USA Hockey. “We’re thankful to Senators Cramer and Schumer for their leadership in getting the bill passed in the upper chamber and our gratitude goes out to all the members in Congress who supported this legislation. Through its historical run to the gold medal, the 1980 Olympic Hockey Team helped provide our country with the inspiration it truly needed at a difficult time in our nation’s history. The Congressional Gold Medal is a most fitting honor for this remarkable group and we look forward to the President signing the bill.”

“The Miracle on Ice was more than victory on the ice—it was a triumph of courage, belief, and teamwork against all odds," said Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner of the NHL and USA Hockey Board Member. "The 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team achieved one of the greatest victories in sports history that inspired generations to dream big and never stop believing. The NHL congratulates the Miracle on Ice team on the bill’s passage and is grateful for the support from members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.”

The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act is supported by over 70 members. Cosponsors include U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Kennedy (R-LA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN).

Click here for bill text.