.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean King will definitely end up being the initial private women's athlete to become rewarded the Legislative Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Shirt revealed Tuesday that their bipartisan regulations had passed the House of Reps and also would certainly be sent out to Head of state Joe Biden for his signature.The bill to recognize Master, the tennis Hallway of Famer as well as protestor, had actually passed all in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, mentioned in a statement that Master's "lifetime of advocacy and also effort altered the garden for women and also gals on the court, in the classroom, and the office." The bill was offered 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 suit of perpetuity. The award, awarded by Our lawmakers for prominent success and additions to community, has earlier been actually offered to professional athletes, featuring baseball players Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente and also golf enthusiasts Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer.King had actually actually been granted the Governmental Medal of Flexibility in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, mentions she has "busted barriers, led unexplored roads, and also inspired numerous people to stand up happily with courage and also conviction in the fight for what is right.".