Capital District Times

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, alongside Congressmen Pete Stauber, Bill Keating, and Mike Quigley, has introduced the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to award three Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. The team is celebrated for their victory over the Soviet Union in what became known as the "Miracle on Ice" during the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Stefanik expressed her pride in representing Lake Placid, where this historic event took place. "It is an honor to represent Lake Placid where our 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team taught our nation how to believe in miracles when they defeated the dominant Soviet Union hockey team during the Cold War," she said.

Pat Kelleher, Executive Director of USA Hockey, voiced support for the bill. “We applaud the introduction of the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act and appreciate the work done by Representatives Stauber, Stefanik, Quigley and Keating,” he stated. He highlighted how this team's success was a source of inspiration during challenging times.

Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the National Hockey League, also endorsed the initiative. He remarked on how rare it is for sports moments to captivate a nation like this one did. "The most special moments in sports actually transcend the playing surface," Bettman noted.

If passed, these medals will be displayed at three locations: Lake Placid Olympic Center in New York; United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minnesota; and U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs.