WASHINGTON (trfnews.i234.me) — President Donald Trump signed a bill Friday honoring the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team.
The law awards three Congressional Gold Medals to the team.
The medals recognize the “Miracle on Ice” upset over the Soviet Union.
That game ended 4-3 at the Lake Placid Olympics.
Team USA later beat Finland to win gold.
What the law does
The bill was led by Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and Rep. Pete Stauber of Minnesota.
It directs three medals to be made for the 1980 team.
Those medals will be displayed at three public sites.
Organizers said the medal displays will be placed in New York, Minnesota, and Colorado.
Planned sites include the Lake Placid Olympic Center.
They also include the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Minnesota.
They also include the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado.
Why it still matters
The 1980 U.S. roster had 20 college players.
It was among the youngest teams in the tournament.
The Soviet team was heavily favored at the time.
The win became a symbol during the Cold War tension.
ABC announcer Al Michaels made the call famous.
He said, “Do you believe in miracles?” at the buzzer.
White House ceremony
Players visited Washington for the signing.
Several former players attended the event.
They included captain Mike Eruzione and goalie Jim Craig.
Forward Buzz Schneider also attended.
Family members also represented late coach Herb Brooks.
How it moved through Congress
Backers said the measure had broad support.
The bill passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent in September.
The signing came nearly 45 years after the upset in Lake Placid.
Readers can view the bill text on Congress.gov.
The White House also listed the measure in its signed-bills release.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.