.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean King will definitely end up being the very first private girls's professional athlete to become granted the Congressional Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and also Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey introduced Tuesday that their bipartisan regulation had actually passed your house of Representatives and will be sent out to Head of state Joe Biden for his signature.The bill to recognize Master, the ping pong Lobby of Famer and activist, had presently passed all in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, said in a statement that Master's "lifetime of advocacy and effort transformed the garden for ladies and gals on the courthouse, in the class, and also the office." The expense was actually presented in September 2023 on the 50th anniversary of Master's success over Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes," still the most-watched tennis match of all time. The award, granted through Congress for recognized success and additions to society, has actually earlier been provided athletes, featuring baseball players Jackie Robinson and also Roberto Clemente and golf enthusiasts Port Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and also Arnold Palmer.King had actually already been rewarded the Governmental Award of Flexibility in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, mentions she has "defective obstacles, led undiscovered paths, and also influenced plenty of people to stand up happily with guts and also strong belief in the defend what is right.".