.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean Master will certainly come to be the first private women's sportsmen to be rewarded the Legislative Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and also Mikie Sherrill of New Shirt declared Tuesday that their bipartisan laws had passed your house of Representatives and also will be delivered to President Joe Biden for his signature.The bill to recognize Master, the tennis Hallway of Famer and also lobbyist, had actually already passed with one voice in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, pointed out in a declaration that King's "life time of advocacy and also hard work transformed the landscape for ladies and also girls on the courtroom, in the classroom, and the place of work." The expense was offered in September 2023 on the 50th anniversary of Master's success over Bobby Riggs in the "Fight of the Sexes," still the most-watched ping pong suit of all time. The award, awarded through Congress for notable achievements and also additions to society, has formerly been actually given to athletes, featuring pitcher Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente and golf enthusiasts Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and also Arnold Palmer.King had actually actually been actually rewarded the Presidential Award of Independence in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican politician, claims she possesses "busted obstacles, led undiscovered paths, and encouraged plenty of individuals to stand up proudly with nerve and view in the fight for what corrects.".