The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the awarding of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team and directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create these medals for display at the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum, and the United States Olympic Paralympic Museum. The act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.
Kevin Cramer
Senator
ND
The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the creation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team and their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum, and the United States Olympic Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.
Congress Greenlights Gold Medals for 'Miracle on Ice' Team, Bronze Replicas for Fans
The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" officially directs Congress to honor the legendary 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team with three Congressional Gold Medals. This isn't just a nod to a great sports moment – it's a recognition of a team that, for many, symbolized American resilience during a tough time (SEC. 2). The bill specifically authorizes the creation of three gold medals, produced by the Secretary of the Treasury (SEC. 3).
Golden Ice, Bronze for Us
The bill sends one medal each to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum, and the United States Olympic Paralympic Museum. These are meant to be displayed and used for research – think of them as permanent exhibits celebrating that epic win (SEC. 3). But here's where it gets interesting for the rest of us: The bill also allows the creation and sale of bronze duplicates (SEC. 4). These replicas, priced to cover production costs, offer a tangible piece of history for fans and collectors.
Minting a Memory
So, how does this all work, financially? The bill taps into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the gold medal production (SEC. 6). Think of it as a dedicated account for special minting projects. Any money made from selling the bronze duplicates goes right back into that same fund, basically making the project self-sustaining (SEC. 6). The medals themselves are officially designated as "national medals" and considered "numismatic items," which essentially means they're recognized as official U.S. Mint products with collectible value (SEC. 5).
Beyond the Rink
While this is primarily about honoring a historic team, the bill could have some ripple effects. The designated museums might see a boost in visitors interested in seeing the medals. And, the sale of bronze duplicates could generate some revenue, although the main goal is to cover costs. The bill, in essence, uses a bit of legislative power to solidify the 'Miracle on Ice' in American memory, with a tangible – and potentially collectible – outcome.