.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean King will definitely become the very first private ladies's sportsmen to be granted the Legislative Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and also Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey revealed Tuesday that their bipartisan laws had actually passed your house of Representatives and will be actually sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.The costs to recognize Master, the tennis Lobby of Famer and also activist, had actually currently passed with one voice in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, said in a declaration that King's "life-time of campaigning for and hard work changed the landscape for ladies and gals on the courthouse, in the classroom, and also the place of work." The costs was actually launched in September 2023 on the 50th anniversary of Master's triumph over Bobby Riggs in the "Struggle of the Sexual activities," still the most-watched ping pong match of all time. The medal, awarded through Our lawmakers for recognized achievements and also additions to community, has actually earlier been actually provided to professional athletes, including baseball players Jackie Robinson as well as Roberto Clemente and also golf players Port Nicklaus, Byron Nelson as well as Arnold Palmer.King had actually actually been actually awarded the Governmental Award of Independence in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, states she possesses "broken barriers, led unexplored roads, and also influenced countless people to stand happily with tenacity and also view in the defend what corrects.".