SCHUMER MEETS WITH MEMBERS OF “MIRACLE ON ICE” 1980 OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM TO PUSH FOR CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS RECOGNIZING HISTORIC AMERICAN MOMENT
1980 American Men’s Ice Hockey Team – Comprised Of Amateur Athletes – Defeated The Mighty Four-Time Olympic Champion Soviet Union Red Army Team In Lake Placid, NY In Game Referred To As “Miracle On Ice” & Went On To Win Olympic Gold Medal – An Achievement That Sparked An Explosion Of American Pride And Patriotism
Schumer Introduced Bipartisan Legislation To Celebrate This Accomplishment And Honor Olympic U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Champions With Congressional Gold Medals, Including One To Be Displayed At New York’s Lake Placid Olympic Center
Schumer: I Am Honored To Welcome “Miracle On Ice” Gold Medal Team To The Capitol To Advocate For Passage Of My Bipartisan Bill
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer last week met with members of the “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, including former captain Michael Anthony "Rizzo" Eruzione, that won a gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY as they advocated on Capitol Hill for passage of Schumer’s bipartisan legislation he introduced earlier this year to award Congressional Gold Medals to the team. This U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team defeated the five-time Olympic champion Soviet Union Red Army team in the semi-final round game referred to as the "Miracle on Ice," and went on to win an Olympic Gold Medal in a thrilling come-from-behind game against the Finnish national team.
“I was proud to welcome to the Capitol members of our 1980 Winter Olympic U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team champions to advocate for my bipartisan legislation to honor this historic moment in Lake Placid with the Congressional Gold Medal. In one of the greatest moments in American sports history, 20 college and minor league athletes demonstrated a mighty American fighting spirit and a gritty determination to prevail against all odds, that propelled them to a miraculous victory in Lake Placid, New York over the Soviet Red Army juggernaut and sparked pride and patriotism across the nation that has inspired generations of Americans since,” said Senator Schumer. “Great moments are born from great challenge, and 45 years later this win still resonates with so many Americans. That’s why I introduced bipartisan legislation to award Congressional Gold Medals to one of America’s favorite and inspirational Olympic gold medal teams, including one medal that would be displayed at the Lake Placid Olympic Center in the great state of New York.”
In February 1980, in one of the greatest upsets in all of sports history, the United States Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team defeated the Soviet Union’s Ice Hockey Team 4-3 at the 1980 Winter Olympic men’s hockey tournament in Lake Placid. Team USA, comprised of 20 amateur hockey players, defeated the four-time Olympic champion Soviet Union Team in a game now referred to as the “Miracle on Ice.” Team USA went on to win an Olympic Gold Medal, and the game was a turning point for American hockey and led to an explosion of pride and patriotism at a time when the United States was struggling with morale due to high prices and American hostages held in Iran.
Schumer’s legislation – which he co-led with U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, and is cosponsored by a growing bipartisan group of 20 additional U.S. Senators – will recognize the 45th anniversary of the game, awarding three Congressional Gold Medals to members of the team for display at the Lake Placid Olympic Center, as well as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota to recognize this remarkable achievement.
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