.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean King will end up being the very first personal women's professional athlete to become granted the Legislative Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and also Mikie Sherrill of New Shirt announced Tuesday that their bipartisan regulation had passed the House of Representatives and also would certainly be actually sent out to President Joe Biden for his signature.The expense to recognize King, the tennis Hall of Famer and also lobbyist, had currently passed all in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, mentioned in a statement that Master's "lifetime of campaigning for and hard work changed the garden for girls and also girls on the courtroom, in the classroom, and also the work environment." The expense was presented in September 2023 on the 50th wedding anniversary of King's victory over Bobby Riggs in the "Fight of the Sexual activities," still the most-watched tennis suit of all time. The medal, granted by Our lawmakers for notable achievements and also additions to community, has actually formerly been actually provided professional athletes, featuring pitcher Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente as well as golfers Port Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and also Arnold Palmer.King had actually been rewarded the Governmental Medal of Freedom in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, states she possesses "defective obstacles, led unexplored courses, as well as influenced a great number of individuals to stand up proudly with nerve as well as sentiment in the defend what is right.".