.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean Master are going to come to be the initial individual girls's professional athlete to be granted the Congressional Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Shirt announced Tuesday that their bipartisan regulations had passed the House of Reps as well as will be actually sent to Head of state Joe Biden for his signature.The costs to recognize Master, the tennis Hallway of Famer and also protestor, had already passed with one voice in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, pointed out in a statement that King's "life time of advocacy and also hard work altered the yard for girls as well as women on the court, in the classroom, as well as the office." The costs was presented in September 2023 on the 50th wedding anniversary of Master's victory over Bobby Riggs in the "Struggle of the Sexual activities," still the most-watched ping pong suit of perpetuity. The award, awarded by Congress for prominent success and additions to community, has actually formerly been actually given to sportsmens, including pitcher Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente and golf players Port Nicklaus, Byron Nelson as well as Arnold Palmer.King had actually been actually awarded the Presidential Medal of Independence in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, mentions she possesses "busted obstacles, led unexplored courses, and also encouraged numerous folks to stand up happily with guts as well as view in the fight for what corrects.".