.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean King will become the 1st individual ladies's sportsmen to be rewarded the Legislative Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and also Mikie Sherrill of New Shirt introduced Tuesday that their bipartisan regulation had actually passed our home of Reps and also will be actually sent to Head of state Joe Biden for his signature.The expense to honor Master, the ping pong Lobby of Famer and protestor, had currently passed with one voice in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, claimed in a declaration that Master's "life time of advocacy and effort changed the yard for women as well as girls on the courtroom, in the classroom, as well as the work environment." The bill was actually launched in September 2023 on the 50th anniversary of King's victory over Bobby Riggs in the "Struggle of the Sexes," still the most-watched tennis match of perpetuity. The medal, granted through Congress for recognized achievements and also contributions to community, has recently been provided athletes, consisting of pitcher Jackie Robinson and also Roberto Clemente and also golf players Port Nicklaus, Byron Nelson as well as Arnold Palmer.King had actually already been actually awarded the Presidential Award of Freedom in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, states she has "broken obstacles, led unexplored pathways, as well as motivated many folks to stand up proudly along with guts as well as principle in the defend what is right.".