.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean King are going to come to be the very first individual females's athlete to be awarded the Legislative Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey announced Tuesday that their bipartisan laws had passed your house of Reps as well as will be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.The bill to recognize King, the ping pong Hall of Famer and also activist, had actually actually passed unanimously in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, stated in a declaration that King's "lifetime of advocacy and hard work transformed the landscape for ladies and also ladies on the courtroom, in the classroom, and the workplace." The bill was actually introduced in September 2023 on the 50th wedding anniversary of Master's triumph over Bobby Riggs in the "Fight of the Sexual activities," still the most-watched tennis suit of perpetuity. The medal, awarded by Our lawmakers for distinguished success and also additions to society, has earlier been provided athletes, featuring pitcher Jackie Robinson as well as Roberto Clemente and golfers Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson as well as Arnold Palmer.King had actually been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, mentions she possesses "busted barriers, led uncharted roads, and encouraged countless people to stand happily with nerve as well as view in the fight for what corrects.".