.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean King will end up being the first specific ladies's athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and also Mikie Sherrill of New Shirt announced Tuesday that their bipartisan legislation had passed your home of Reps as well as will be actually delivered to President Joe Biden for his signature.The costs to recognize Master, the tennis Hall of Famer and also lobbyist, had actually already passed all in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, said in a claim that Master's "life time of proposal and effort modified the landscape for females and also women on the courtroom, in the class, as well as the office." The expense was actually offered in September 2023 on the 50th wedding anniversary of King's triumph over Bobby Riggs in the "War of the Sexual activities," still the most-watched ping pong suit of perpetuity. The award, rewarded by Our lawmakers for notable success and also payments to society, has formerly been provided professional athletes, featuring baseball players Jackie Robinson and also Roberto Clemente and golf players Port Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and also Arnold Palmer.King had actually currently been actually awarded the Governmental Award of Independence in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, mentions she possesses "damaged barricades, led uncharted roads, and also motivated a great number of individuals to stand proudly with tenacity and view in the fight for what corrects.".