WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership, joined President Trump for an Oval Office ceremony to present members of the historic 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team with Congressional Gold Medals in recognition of their remarkable achievement at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York, following passage of Stefanik's and Rep. Pete Stauber's (R-MN) Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act.
At the ceremony, Stefanik thanked President Trump and expressed how "meaningful" the event was for her constituents. Watch her remarks here.
"Today's inspiring Oval Office ceremony is a culmination of years of legislative effort to honor the legendary 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Hockey Team with Congressional Gold Medals. I was proud to co-lead this bill in Congress with my colleague Congressman Pete Stauber to honor these incredible Americans. Lake Placid in New York's 21st Congressional District is home to the famed Miracle on Ice game that was one of the most significant moments in sports history and even more important in 20th century world history. Thank you to the legendary team that earned its place in U.S. history with an extraordinary underdog victory that embodied the triumph, grit, and determination of the American spirit during the Cold War," said Stefanik.
In September, the House passed Stefanik's Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act to award today's Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the historic 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. Stefanik’s original legislation was reintroduced in April 2025 by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) and co-led by Stefanik in the House.
The legislation designates three Congressional Gold Medals to be awarded to members of the team. These medals will be placed in three prominent locations: the Lake Placid Olympic Center in Lake Placid, NY; the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, MN; and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, CO. These sites will serve as enduring symbols of the team’s legacy and the profound impact their victory had on the nation.
