Billie Jean King is going to be the first female athlete to receive the Congressional Gold Medal on her own. Athletes such as golfers Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson, and Arnold Palmer, as well as baseball players Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente, have previously received the medal.
Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill from New Jersey declared that their bipartisan legislation had cleared the House and was ready to be signed by President Joe Biden. Moreover, the Senate had previously passed the bill honouring the activist and tennis hall of famer King.
In September last year, the bill was presented in honour of the 50th anniversary of King’s triumph over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes”, which is still the most-watched tennis match in history.
King received the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier in the year 2009. Furthermore, Republican Fitzpatrick said: “She has broken barriers, led uncharted paths, and inspired countless people to stand proudly with courage and conviction in the fight for what is right.”
Source: NBC News