.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean Master are going to come to be the initial personal females's athlete to be awarded the Legislative Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and also Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey declared Tuesday that their bipartisan legislation had passed the House of Representatives and would be delivered to President Joe Biden for his signature.The costs to recognize King, the tennis Hall of Famer and also lobbyist, had currently passed with one voice in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, said in a claim that King's "life-time of advocacy and also effort modified the landscape for ladies as well as women on the courtroom, in the classroom, and also the place of work." The expense was launched in September 2023 on the 50th wedding anniversary of King's success over Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexual activities," still the most-watched ping pong suit of all time. The award, awarded through Our lawmakers for recognized success and also additions to community, has actually previously been actually given to athletes, featuring pitcher Jackie Robinson as well as Roberto Clemente and also golfers Port Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and also Arnold Palmer.King had actually already been rewarded the Presidential Medal of Flexibility in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, states she has "faulty barricades, led undiscovered roads, and encouraged countless individuals to stand proudly with tenacity and also view in the fight for what is right.".