Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 452) to award 3 Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the 1980 Winter Olympics where, being comprised of amateur collegiate players, they defeated the dominant Soviet hockey team in the historic ``Miracle on Ice'', revitalizing American morale at the height of the Cold War, inspiring generations and transforming the sport of hockey in the United States.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:
Senate amendment:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team competed at the 1980 Winter Olympics, officially the XIII Olympic Winter Games and known as the 1980 Lake Placid games, from February 13 to 24, 1980, in Lake Placid, New York.
(2) Team USA, comprised of collegiate players, defeated the defending Olympic champion the Soviet Union 4-3 on February 22, 1980, in the final round of the 1980 Winter Olympics men's ice hockey tournament.
(3) The 1980 United States Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team roster included--
(A) Bill Baker (Grand Rapids, Minnesota);
(B) Neal Broten (Roseau, Minnesota);
(C) Dave Christian (Warroad, Minnesota);
(D) Steve Christoff (Richfield, Minnesota);
(E) Jim Craig (North Easton, Massachusetts);
(F) Mike Eruzione (Winthrop, Massachusetts);
(G) John Harrington (Virginia, Minnesota);
(H) Steve Janaszak (Saint Paul, Minnesota);
(I) Mark Johnson (Madison, Wisconsin);
(J) Rob McClanahan (Saint Paul, Minnesota);
(K) Ken Morrow (Flint, Michigan);
(L) Jack O'Callahan (Charlestown, Massachusetts);
(M) Mark Pavelich (Eveleth, Minnesota);
(N) Mike Ramsey (Minneapolis, Minnesota);
(O) Buzz Schneider (Grand Rapids, Minnesota);
(P) Dave Silk (Scituate, Massachusetts);
(Q) Eric Strobel (Rochester, Minnesota);
(R) Bob Suter (Madison, Wisconsin);
(S) Mark Wells (St. Clair Shores, Michigan); and
(T) Phil Verchota (Duluth, Minnesota).
(4) The ``Miracle on Ice'' United States and Soviet Union final round game aired on tape delay on Feb 22, 1980, from Lake Placid and drew 34,200,000 average viewers. The match is remembered as a ``miracle'' as collegiate ice hockey players defied expectations in defeating a Soviet team that won 4 consecutive gold medals dating back to 1964.
(5) Team USA defeated Finland 4-2 in its final game to win the gold medal, its first gold medal since 1960 in men's ice hockey.
(6) Herb Brooks, the last player cut from the 1960 United States Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team that won gold at Squaw Valley, guided the 1980 team to its historic gold medal. Known as a motivator, Brooks molded a team built around hard work, belief in oneself, and belief in teammates. He reminded his team when they played the Soviets, ``you were born to be hockey players, everyone one of you . . . and you were meant to be here''.
(7) 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.
(8) The Miracle on Ice was a turning point for ice hockey in the United States. The game was named the greatest sports moment of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated.
(9) The historic win brought ice hockey to the front-page of newspapers everywhere, and forever opened the door to the National Hockey League for players born in the United States. The impact of the event was far-reaching and is still being felt today.
(10) Since 1980, interest in the United States in the sport of ice hockey has increased exponentially. Registrations with USA Hockey have increased by nearly 400 percent since 1980 from 136,000 to over 564,000, and the number of National Hockey League players from the United States has increased from 72 in 1980 to 245 in 2024. SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS.
(a) Award Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of Congress, of 3 gold medals of appropriate design to the members of the 1980 United States Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, in recognition of their extraordinary achievement at the XIII Olympic Winter Games where, being comprised of amateur collegiate players, they defeated the dominant Soviet hockey team in the historic ``Miracle on Ice'', revitalizing morale in the United States at the height of the Cold War, inspiring generations, and transforming the sport of ice hockey in the United States.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike gold medals with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary.
(c) Disposition of Medals.--Following the award of the gold medals under subsection (a)--
(1) one gold medal shall be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York, where it shall be displayed and made available for research, as appropriate;
(2) one gold medal shall be given to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth, Minnesota, where it shall be displayed and made available for research, as appropriate; and
(3) one gold medal shall be given to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where it shall be displayed and made available for research, as appropriate. SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals struck under section 3, at a price sufficient to cover the costs thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses. SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.
(a) National Medals.--Medals struck under this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.
(b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items. SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.
(a) Authority To Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck under this Act.
(b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 452, a bill that awards three Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thanking Congressman Stauber and the numerous original sponsors for getting this important bill to the floor today.
``Great moments are born from great opportunity.'' With those words, Coach Herb Brooks rallied the young, underdog U.S. hockey team during a dark chapter of the Cold War, a time when Americans faced nuclear threats, economic uncertainty, and a crisis of confidence.
The Soviet Union's hockey team had dominated for decades, beating the U.S. in their last 12 matchups, including a crushing 10-3 exhibition win just 3 weeks earlier. No one expected the Americans to win.
However, on February 22, 1980, in Lake Placid, Team USA shocked the world, defeating the Soviets in a stunning upset.
It wasn't just a hockey game. It was a symbolic victory for democracy, resilience, and national pride.
Just days later, they claimed Olympic gold for the United States.
These 20 young men reminded a shaken Nation that its greatest moments weren't in the past. They were still within reach.
Mr. Speaker, the players of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey Team are deserving of these Congressional Gold Medals as the highest recognition of national appreciation for their determination, courage, and patriotism.
My hope is that what this team achieved on that ice in 1980 will continue to inspire Americans today and for generations yet to come.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill. I even remember where I was at that very moment.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to reiterate the importance of the 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team uniting during such a challenging and turbulent period in American history. Their unforgettable victory solidified the Nation's legacy of excellence both on the ice and on the global stage. We owe these men a debt of gratitude for transforming and shaping the landscape of American hockey over the past four decades.
I thank Congressman Stauber for his leadership and his speech. It was very good. I thank all of my colleagues in advance for supporting this measure.
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