Former world No. 1 tennis participant Billie Jean King is the primary particular person feminine athlete to obtain the Congressional Gold Medal.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by United States House of Representatives members Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey.
🚨 History made! 🚨 The House simply handed my bipartisan, bicameral invoice to award my good friend, @BillieJeanKing, legendary athlete, and ardent advocate, the Congressional Gold Medal, making her the primary feminine athlete to ever obtain this honor—one more iconic trailblazing second… pic.twitter.com/kbkkym0aVN
— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick 🇺🇸 (@RepBrianFitz) September 18, 2024
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A invoice to award King with the medal was launched by the aforementioned representatives in September of 2023, with the Senate then passing it unanimously. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives handed it unanimously. This got here proper across the fiftieth anniversary of “Battle of the Sexes”, a match King took half in wherein she defeated world-champion Bobby Riggs. At the Houston Astrodome, King managed to beat Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, in entrance of a dwell viewers of over 30,000 followers. Millions extra watched the televised match from residence.
Thank you. I’m deeply humbled and honored. https://t.co/hViWiftjBH
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 18, 2024
The invoice is presently awaiting the officiating signature of President Joe Biden.
King has lengthy represented gender equality in sports activities. As the primary union president of the Women’s Tennis Association, King fought to safe higher pay for feminine tennis gamers.
She beforehand acquired the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2009.
Thank you. It’s an honor. 🙏 https://t.co/CVNXWSv6Fl
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 18, 2024
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