.Sep 17, 2024, 09:18 PM ETWASHINGTON-- Billie Jean Master will certainly end up being the 1st specific girls's athlete to become rewarded the Congressional Gold Medal.Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Shirt revealed Tuesday that their bipartisan regulations had actually passed your home of Agents and will be actually sent to Head of state Joe Biden for his signature.The costs to recognize Master, the ping pong Hallway of Famer and also activist, had actually currently passed all in the Senate.Sherrill, a Democrat, said in a declaration that Master's "lifetime of campaigning for and also effort changed the yard for women as well as gals on the courtroom, in the class, and also the place of work." The expense was introduced in September 2023 on the 50th anniversary of Master's victory over Bobby Riggs in the "Struggle of the Sexual activities," still the most-watched tennis suit of all time. The award, rewarded by Congress for distinguished accomplishments and contributions to culture, has earlier been actually provided to athletes, consisting of baseball players Jackie Robinson and also Roberto Clemente and golf enthusiasts Port Nicklaus, Byron Nelson as well as Arnold Palmer.King had actually currently been rewarded the Presidential Award of Liberty in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican politician, states she possesses "defective obstacles, led undiscovered pathways, and also inspired plenty of people to stand proudly with courage and principle in the fight for what is right.".