.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean King will definitely come to be the initial individual girls's professional athlete to become rewarded the Legislative Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania as well as Mikie Sherrill of New Jacket announced Tuesday that their bipartisan regulation had actually passed your home of Reps as well as would certainly be sent to Head of state Joe Biden for his signature.The expense to honor King, the tennis Hallway of Famer and protestor, had actually already passed all in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, pointed out in a claim that Master's "lifetime of proposal as well as effort modified the landscape for girls and also females on the courtroom, in the classroom, as well as the work environment." The costs was introduced in September 2023 on the 50th wedding anniversary of Master's success over Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexual activities," still the most-watched ping pong match of all time. The award, awarded by Congress for notable accomplishments and also contributions to society, has actually previously been provided to professional athletes, including pitcher Jackie Robinson and also Roberto Clemente as well as golf players Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson as well as Arnold Palmer.King had actually already been granted the Governmental Medal of Liberty in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, says she possesses "broken barriers, led unexplored paths, as well as encouraged numerous individuals to stand up proudly along with courage as well as principle in the defend what is right.".