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BISMARCK, N.D. - During a ceremony at the White House today, President Donald Trump signed U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer's (R-ND) bipartisan, bicameral Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act into law. The legislation honors the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team and its victory over the four-time reigning champion Russian Olympic Hockey Team in the Lake Placid Olympic Games. It awards the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor Congress can bestow on civilians, to recognize their extraordinary achievement. U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) introduced the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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"The Miracle on Ice was such an incredible display of American excellence, of our grit, and of course of our patriotism," said Cramer. "In the face of the challenges America was experiencing at the time, which were significant, it was especially important, and it was exactly the miracle we needed as a nation. I'm really grateful to my friend Pete Stauber for his leadership in the House, this whole thing was his idea. As a hockey player, a hockey fan, and a patriotic Minnesotan, Pete really led the charge on this, and it was my honor to join him and take the lead in the Senate. And of course [I'm grateful] to the many Senators that got on board, it was not a hard sell. It was great to get this across the finish line and of course to see President Trump sign it."

"But more importantly, I'm really grateful we, as a nation, can remember and honor the members of this spectacular team, these incredible American patriots, these Midwesterners in many cases, and celebrate 45 years later, at a time when America could use another miracle, another boost, another moment, or event that brings us together," continued Cramer. "These gold medals as they're presented to the three locations on behalf of these great American icons -it's just a great moment, and I'm glad I can be a part of it. I'm grateful to my friend Pete, to my friend President Trump, and mostly grateful to that incredible team for inspiring us 45 years ago and so many, many, many more times since."

"This was one of the biggest moments that I've ever seen in sports," said President Trump. "These are the men who gave us one of the most storied athletic wins of all time. It's called the 'Miracle on Ice.'"

The game took place against the backdrop of political division, economic shifts, and global conflict. The Cold War loomed large, American hostages were being held in Iran, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan had stoked international anxiety, and the United States was in the midst of a painful recession at home. Reviving American patriotism and unity, the Miracle on Ice transcended the rink where 20 amateur hockey players battled for victory.

The 1980 American team was the youngest in the Olympics and consisted of amateur collegiate hockey players, including former University of North Dakota hockey player Dave Christian. Meanwhile, the juggernaut Russian team was an international force, favored to easily win gold after not having lost an Olympic hockey game since 1968. Despite being the underdog in the semifinal game, the Americans achieved the impossible and mounted a comeback in the third period to beat the Russians 4-3.

Counting down the seconds at the end of the game, ABC sportscaster Al Michaels exclaimed, "Do you believe in miracles? YES!" Team USA advanced to clinch the gold medal against Finland, and their improbable, miraculous win over the Soviet Union team forever became known as the Miracle on Ice, with this year marking the 45th anniversary.

Members of the team gathered at the U.S. Capitol before heading to the White House where President Trump signed the Congressional Gold Medal Act into law. Medals will be awarded to the Lake Placid Olympic Center in New York, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Minnesota, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado.

Cramer penned an op-ed in The Hill with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), urging their Senate colleagues to pass the legislation to honor this historic team. Along with U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Cramer hosted members of the team to Capitol Hill for a lunch with Senate colleagues.

Cramer's bill unanimously passed the Senate in September and was supported by over 70 senators. Cosponsors include U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Kennedy (R-LA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN).