.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean King will become the initial private girls's professional athlete to be granted the Legislative Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania as well as Mikie Sherrill of New Shirt revealed Tuesday that their bipartisan regulation had actually passed our home of Agents and will be actually delivered to President Joe Biden for his signature.The bill to recognize King, the ping pong Hall of Famer and lobbyist, had actually already passed all in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, mentioned in a declaration that King's "lifetime of proposal and also hard work changed the yard for ladies and women on the court, in the classroom, as well as the office." The expense was actually introduced in September 2023 on the 50th wedding anniversary of King's triumph over Bobby Riggs in the "War of the Sexual activities," still the most-watched ping pong match of all time. The medal, awarded by Our lawmakers for recognized achievements and also additions to community, has actually earlier been actually provided to professional athletes, including baseball players Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente and also golf players Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and also Arnold Palmer.King had already been granted the Presidential Award of Freedom in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, states she possesses "damaged barriers, led undiscovered pathways, and also encouraged numerous individuals to stand up proudly with guts as well as principle in the fight for what is right.".