.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean King will become the very first specific women's professional athlete to become granted the Congressional Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania as well as Mikie Sherrill of New Jacket revealed Tuesday that their bipartisan legislation had passed our home of Representatives and also will be actually sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.The expense to recognize Master, the ping pong Hall of Famer and activist, had already passed all in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, mentioned in a declaration that King's "lifetime of advocacy and hard work altered the landscape for girls as well as females on the court, in the classroom, and the work environment." The expense was actually presented in September 2023 on the 50th wedding anniversary of Master's victory over Bobby Riggs in the "War of the Sexual activities," still the most-watched tennis match of all time. The award, rewarded by Congress for notable accomplishments as well as payments to culture, has actually earlier been actually offered to athletes, including baseball players Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente as well as golf players Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer.King had currently been awarded the Governmental Medal of Flexibility in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, mentions she has "busted barricades, led undiscovered paths, and influenced many individuals to stand up proudly with courage as well as conviction in the defend what corrects.".