.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean King will certainly become the very first personal girls's athlete to be granted the Congressional Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and also Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey announced Tuesday that their bipartisan laws had actually passed our home of Representatives as well as would certainly be sent to Head of state Joe Biden for his signature.The bill to honor King, the ping pong Lobby of Famer and also activist, had presently passed all in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, mentioned in a claim that King's "life time of campaigning for and also hard work modified the yard for females and also gals on the courthouse, in the class, as well as the office." The expense was launched in September 2023 on the 50th anniversary of Master's victory over Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes," still the most-watched ping pong suit of all time. The award, rewarded by Our lawmakers for notable achievements and contributions to society, has previously been actually given to sportsmens, consisting of pitcher Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente and also golfers Port Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer.King had already been actually rewarded the Governmental Medal of Liberty in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, states she possesses "damaged obstacles, led undiscovered paths, and also encouraged a great number of individuals to stand proudly with courage and conviction in the fight for what is right.".