.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean Master will become the very first private women's athlete to become rewarded the Legislative Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania as well as Mikie Sherrill of New Jacket revealed Tuesday that their bipartisan regulation had actually passed our home of Representatives and will be sent out to Head of state Joe Biden for his signature.The costs to recognize Master, the tennis Hall of Famer and also protestor, had actually actually passed with one voice in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, mentioned in a statement that King's "life-time of advocacy as well as effort transformed the landscape for females as well as ladies on the courthouse, in the class, and also the workplace." The costs was actually launched in September 2023 on the 50th wedding anniversary of King's success over Bobby Riggs in the "Fight of the Sexes," still the most-watched ping pong match of all time. The award, rewarded by Congress for notable achievements as well as payments to community, has actually formerly been actually offered to athletes, including pitcher Jackie Robinson as well as Roberto Clemente as well as golfers Port Nicklaus, Byron Nelson as well as Arnold Palmer.King had actually been actually rewarded the Governmental Award of Freedom in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, states she possesses "faulty barricades, led unexplored pathways, as well as motivated many individuals to stand happily with nerve and also conviction in the defend what corrects.".