The United States House of Representatives has introduced a bill to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, famously known for the “Miracle on Ice,” with the Congressional Gold Medal.
The honor is the highest civilian award our country offers, along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The legislative effort aims to recognize the team’s extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. The group of amateur collegiate players defeated the heavily favored Soviet Union team.
The incredible and unlikely victory was not only a significant event in sports, but also a moment of national pride during the Cold War era, revitalizing American morale.
This new legislation seeks to award three Congressional Gold Medals – one to go on display at the U.S Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minnesota, another at the Lake Placid Olympic Center, and the third at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado – to the members of the American team “in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics.”
The bill was introduced by Minnesota Representative Pete Stauber and is co-sponsored by Reps. Elise Stefanik (NY), Mike Quigley (IL), and William Keating (MA).
‘Miracle On Ice’ Team Should Be Rewarded
Perhaps the biggest miracle here is that a pair of Democrats and a pair of Republicans have come together to introduce this bill honoring the ‘Miracle on Ice’ team.
Bipartisanship in this day and age?
Stefanik, whose district encompasses the Lake Placid region, offered a statement in support of awarding the team with some new gold medals.
“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.
“Our North Country 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.”
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Greatest Upsets
The ‘Miracle on Ice’ is widely considered one of the biggest upsets in sports history. It is akin to somebody having beaten the Dream Team with Micahel Jordan and Magic Johnson in 1992.
Its significance was even greater when you take into account world affairs between Russia and the United States at the time.
The U.S. team’s unexpected triumph came at a time of Cold War tensions, making the win a symbol of American power and resilience. And man it made for great drama. Who can forget Coach Herb Brooks’s speech?
Following the defeat of the Soviets, the U.S. team went on to win the gold medal by beating Finland, cementing this event as one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
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