October 9, 2024
North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik has co-sponsored a bill that would have the U.S. Treasury create three Congressional Gold Medals recognizing the “Miracle on Ice”hockey team, with one of the proposed locations for these awards being the Lake Placid Olympic Center.
The center was the site of the U.S. Olympic hockey team’s historic win in the 1980 Winter Olympics when the underdog team of mostly amateur collegiate players defeated the Soviet Union team 4-3 at the height of the Cold War between the two nations. The Soviets had won the four previous gold medals — every one since 1964.
The explosive reaction to the USA victory gave the win its infamous name when ABC sportscaster Al Michaels shouted the words, “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” at the end of the game.
Former state Olympic Regional Development Authority employee Katie Million, who co-directs the Miracle on Ice Fantasy Camp held at the Olympic Center each spring is in a group text with members of the team. She said the proposed recognition came as a “total surprise” to them when she shared the news with them Tuesday morning.
She said they were shocked, excited and honored that Congress would even consider it, adding that the news was still sinking in.
Million had to hold onto this secret for a couple of months after learning about it.
“I couldn’t even tell the guys until today,” she said.
The “Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act,” introduced in the House on Tuesday by Republican Minnesota Rep. Pete Stauber — a former professional player — has been co-signed by Stefanik and has bipartisan support from Democrats Bill Keating of Massachusetts and Mike Quigley of Illinois.
Stefanik said it is an honor to represent Lake Placid and that the 1980 win “taught our nation how to believe in miracles.”
“As we work to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” this legislation honors our Olympic victors for their legendary achievement,” Stefanik said.
The 45th anniversary of the miracle is coming up on Feb. 22.
Million said the NHL Foundation is “leading the charge” on the effort for the medals. She said they are doing it now because it takes a long time for these congressional medals to get passed, approved and produced. They wanted to start it now to make sure it’s done by the 2030 anniversary.
Several members of the team have died in recent years — forward Mark Wells died in May, forward Mark Pavelich died in 2021, defenseman Bob Suter died in 2014 and coach Herb Brooks died in 2003.
“We want these members to be able to cherish and appreciate this during their lifetime,”Stauber told the Associated Press.
He also said if it passes, a celebration would be planned in Lake Placid with the remaining living members of the team.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation’s oldest award for civilians — dating back to 1776 and the Revolutionary War. It is on equal footing with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in terms of honor, sharing the highest spot. To date, only 184 have been issued.
The most recent medals were awarded to Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley in January 2023. The first medal was awarded to George Washington. Other recipients include soldiers, ships, inventors, politicians, activists and celebrities.
Reaction
USA Hockey Executive Director Pat Kelleher applauded the bill’s introduction.
“Their unlikely run to the gold medal in Lake Placid, which included a historic win over the Soviet Union, inspired our nation at what was a very trying time,” Kelleher said in a statement.
“The most special moments in sports actually transcend the playing surface. Truly rare are those that captivate an entire nation and still resound nearly half a century later,” National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
The “miracle” was witnessed by the 8,500 in attendance at the arena and an estimated 34.2 million viewers on television. The U.S. team went on to win gold, defeating Finland 4-1 and bringing the men’s hockey team’s first gold medal since 1960. The Soviets won the silver.
“The tournament occurred at a time when the United States was struggling with rampant stagflation, high gas prices, hostages held in Iran, and increased tensions with the Soviet Union whose invasion of Afghanistan led to the boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics,”according to the bill.
The bill also calls the win a “turning point for American hockey.”
“Registrations with USA Hockey have increased by nearly 400% since 1980 from 136,000 to over 564,000, and the number of NHL players from the United States has increased from 72 in 1980 to 245 in 2024,” according to the bill.
Stauber was 13 at the time of the miracle. He later want on to play hockey for Lake Superior State and had several years playing professionally in the minors.
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Passing pucks and bills
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The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minnesota, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, are also proposed locations to receive the physical medals.
The Treasury would be responsible for designing and striking the gold medals.
Bronze duplicates of the medals would also be created to be sold to cover the cost of creating the gold ones. The bill will need to pass both the House and the Senate and be signed by the president to become official.
The AP reports that the bill is expected to be debated for consideration between the Nov. 5 national election and the swearing in of new politicians in January, what is called the “lame duck” session of Congress.
Stauber told the AP he doesn’t believe anyone would oppose it.
Miracle on Ice Fantasy Camp co-director and former ORDA Events Director Jeff Potter said the medals are certainly a well-deserving honor to that team.
“They left their mark on Lake Placid, the country and the world,” Potter said, adding that he hopes that significance passes through to the legislators.
“I would think that it’s a no-brainer,” he said.
The Miracle on Ice Fantasy Camp is held in Lake Placid every spring and invites members of the famed team to return to the rink where they made history to work with and play alongside enthusiasts of the sport.
The 1980 team roster was goalies Jim Craig and Steve Janaszak; defensemen Bill Baker, Dave Christian, Ken Morrow, Jack O’Callahan, Mike Ramsey and Bob Suter; and forwards Neal Broten, Steve Christoff, Mike Eruzione, John Harrington, Mark Johnson, Rob McClanahan, Mark Pavelich, Buzz Schneider, Dave Silk, Eric Strobel, Phil Verchota and Mark Wells.
The bill can be found at tinyurl.com/yast5ph7.
