{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/trump-sign-rep-staubers-congressional-gold-medal-act-honoring-1980-miracle-ice", "Trump to Sign Rep. Stauber\u2019s Congressional Gold Medal Act Honoring 1980 \u201cMiracle on Ice\u201d Team Into Law", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "MN", "Pete Stauber", "S001212", "stauber.house.gov", "stauber", "https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, President Donald Trump will sign into law the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, authored by Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08). The bipartisan legislation honors the 1980 United States Olympic Men\u2019s Ice Hockey Team for their historic victory over the Soviet Union in the Winter Olympics. The signing ceremony will take place at the White House this afternoon, 3 PM EST, and will be attended by Rep. Stauber and several members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team.\n\nThe Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress, recognizing individuals or groups with profound, enduring impact on American history and culture. Stauber\u2019s bill authorizes three medals: one for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minnesota (in MN-08); one for the Lake Placid Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York; and one for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado.\n\nIn order for a Congressional Gold Medal bill to move through Congress, the legislation must receive 290 cosponsors in the House and 67 in the Senate, of which the bill received 299 and 75 cosponsors, respectively. Congressman Stauber\u2019s advocacy for the bill was built on personal ties to hockey and the Iron Range\u2019s deep roots in the sport, rallying huge bipartisan support.\n\n\u201cAs a hockey guy, it was a tremendous honor to author this bill, and I thank President Trump for recognizing this extraordinary team,\u201d said Congressman Stauber. \u201cThe Miracle on Ice is the greatest sports victory in U.S. history. It continues to inspire our nation as it embodies the fighting spirit that helped win the Cold War. Coach Herb Brooks and his team deserve this honor, and I thank all who supported it.\u201d\n\n\u201cMinnesota played a pivotal role in this victory, and it\u2019s extra special that one medal will reside in our district,\u201d Stauber added. \u201cOnce minted, I hope Midwest visitors flock to Eveleth to see it and that all Americans celebrate this triumph.\u201d\n\nSTATEMENTS FROM PLAYERS ATTENDING THE SIGNING CEREMONY:\n\n\u201cWitnessing the signing of this bill at the White House is one of the greatest honors of my life. Our team\u2019s legacy continues to inspire, and this recognition is a powerful reminder of what belief and unity can accomplish. It\u2019s an honor to be here for this historic moment, and I\u2019m grateful to Congressman Stauber for his leadership in making this recognition a reality. Our team never imagined anything like this, and we truly appreciate his dedication and support.\u201d \u2013 Mike Eruzione, team captain\n\n\u201cThis moment at the White House is deeply meaningful. Our team has carried the Miracle story with pride for 45 years, and seeing it honored at the highest level of our nation is incredibly special. I sincerely thank Congressman Stauber for championing this effort and honoring our team. His commitment to recognizing our story is something we truly appreciate.\u201d \u2013 Jim Craig\n\n\u201cBeing here at the White House for this signing is very meaningful to me. I\u2019m grateful to be part of a team that continues to be remembered in this way. It\u2019s meaningful to be in Washington for this moment, and I sincerely appreciate Congressman Stauber\u2019s work in helping make this recognition possible. Our team is truly grateful.\u201d \u2013 Phil Verchota\n\n\u201cBeing at the White House for this historic moment is an incredible honor. Our team\u2019s story has meant so much to so many, and to see it recognized in this way is truly humbling.\u201d \u2013 Bill Baker\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s an unbelievable privilege to be in Washington to witness this bill being signed. What we accomplished in 1980 has lived on far beyond the rink, and this recognition means more than words can express.\u201d \u2013 Neal Broten\n\n\u201cTo stand alongside my teammates at the White House for the signing of the Congressional Gold Medal bill is an honor I\u2019ll never forget. It\u2019s a testament to the spirit of teamwork and belief that defined our journey. It\u2019s a privilege to witness this moment, and I want to thank Congressman Stauber for all he did to help make it possible. Our team is grateful for his support and for the honor being given today.\u201d \u2013 Dave Christian\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a privilege to join my teammates in Washington to witness this historic moment. I\u2019m grateful to be part of a team whose impact continues to resonate with people across the country.\u201d \u2013 Steve Janaszak\n\n\u201cBeing present at the White House for the Congressional Gold Medal signing is an extraordinary honor. Our team shared something truly unique in 1980, and this recognition brings that feeling back in a profound way.\u201d \u2013 Rob McClanahan\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly humbling to be at the White House for such an important milestone. The Congressional Gold Medal is an honor that reflects not just a moment in sports, but a moment in American history.\u201d \u2013 Ken Morrow\n\n\u201cTo witness this bill being signed into law is truly special. Our team\u2019s story continues to remind people of what\u2019s possible when you believe in one another, and this recognition means the world.\u201d \u2013 Jack O\u2019Callahan\n\n\u201cI\u2019m honored to be in Washington for the signing of this historic bill. The Miracle has touched generations, and this recognition is something our team will treasure forever.\u201d \u2013 Mike Ramsey\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful honor to be at the White House to witness this bill becoming law. Our team\u2019s journey was unforgettable, and moments like this remind us of its lasting impact. I\u2019m thankful to be part of this special day, and I want to express my appreciation to Congressman Stauber for helping bring this honor forward. It means a great deal to all of us who lived that experience together.\u201d \u2013 Buzz Schneider\n\n\u201cBeing part of this ceremony at the White House is incredibly meaningful. The recognition of our team\u2019s place in history is something I\u2019m proud to share with my teammates and with the country.\u201d \u2013 Dave Silk\n\nSTATEMENTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES IN ATTENDANCE FOR DECEASED TEAM MEMBERS:\n\n\u201cIt is an honor to stand on my father\u2019s behalf at the White House. The Miracle team meant everything to him, and I know he would be deeply moved to see this recognition bestowed upon the teammates he cherished.\u201d \u2013 Tarja Lewis, daughter of Mark Pavelich\n\n\u201cRepresenting my dad at the White House is incredibly special. He was so proud to be part of the 1980 team, and this moment reflects the legacy he carried with him throughout his life.\u201d \u2013 Ryan Suter, son of Bob Suter\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a privilege to honor Mark by being here today. The Miracle team was one of the greatest joys of his life, and this recognition is a powerful tribute to his memory and to the entire team.\u201d \u2013 John Wells, brother of Mark Wells\n\n\u201cBeing here on my father\u2019s behalf is a profound honor. The Miracle team represented everything he believed in\u2014hard work, belief, and the power of a unified team. This recognition is a beautiful acknowledgment of that legacy.\u201d \u2013 Dan Brooks, son of Head Coach Herb Brooks\n\nSTATEMENTS FROM PLAYERS & STAFF WHO ARE NOT ATTENDING:\n\n\u201cAlthough I\u2019m unable to be in Washington, I am deeply honored by this recognition. The Miracle team holds a special place in my heart, and the Congressional Gold Medal is a meaningful tribute to what we accomplished together.\u201d \u2013 Steve Christoff\n\n\u201cI\u2019m disappointed to miss the ceremony but I\u2019m tremendously honored by the Congressional Gold Medal recognition. Our 1980 team shared something unforgettable, and this moment reflects the bond and belief that carried us all those years ago.\u201d \u2013 John Harrington\n\n\u201cWhile I cannot attend the event, I am truly humbled by this extraordinary honor. The Miracle continues to inspire across generations, and being recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal is something I will forever cherish.\u201d \u2013 Mark Johnson\n\n\u201cI\u2019m honored by the Congressional Gold Medal recognition even though I won\u2019t be at the signing ceremony. What our team achieved has lived far beyond 1980, and this honor is a wonderful acknowledgment of that legacy.\u201d \u2013 Eric Strobel\n\n\u201cIt is a great honor for our team to receive this recognition. Though I am unable to be in Washington, I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together and grateful that the Miracle continues to be celebrated in such a meaningful way.\u201d \u2013 Craig Patrick, assistant coach\n\nBackground:\n\nOn February 22, 1980, the U.S. Olympic Men\u2019s Ice Hockey Team defeated the Soviet Union in Lake Placid, New York. This game is now known as the \u201cMiracle on Ice.\u201d The United States team was comprised of amateur college athletes, while the Soviet team featured some of the best players ever to play the game. Prior to this game, the Soviet Union had not lost an Olympic game since 1968. Eight years after this game, Congressman Stauber and the Lake Superior State University Division 1 hockey team won the National Championship at the same rink in Lake Placid, New York. For more information on the U.S Hockey Hall of Fame, visit https://www.ushockeyhall.com.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://stauber.house.gov/media/press-releases/trump-sign-rep-staubers-congressional-gold-medal-act-honoring-1980-miracle-ice"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6632739678025246, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}