.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean Master will definitely come to be the initial private ladies's professional athlete to become granted the Legislative Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey announced Tuesday that their bipartisan regulations had passed our home of Representatives and also will be sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.The expense to honor King, the ping pong Hallway of Famer and also lobbyist, had actually already passed unanimously in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, mentioned in a declaration that Master's "lifetime of advocacy and effort changed the landscape for women as well as females on the courthouse, in the class, and the workplace." The costs was actually introduced in September 2023 on the 50th anniversary of Master's victory over Bobby Riggs in the "Struggle of the Sexual activities," still the most-watched tennis match of perpetuity. The medal, granted through Our lawmakers for prominent accomplishments and also contributions to society, has recently been actually provided professional athletes, consisting of pitcher Jackie Robinson and also Roberto Clemente as well as golf players Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer.King had already been actually rewarded the Presidential Award of Flexibility in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, states she possesses "defective barricades, led unexplored courses, as well as inspired countless folks to stand up happily with nerve as well as conviction in the defend what is right.".