Current:Home > reviewsBillie Jean King moves closer to breaking another barrier and earning the Congressional Gold Medal -Mastery Money Tools
Billie Jean King moves closer to breaking another barrier and earning the Congressional Gold Medal
View
Date:2025-04-19 12:18:20
NEW YORK (AP) — Two members of the House of Representatives say the have lined up enough votes to make Billie Jean King the first individual female athlete to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey said Thursday they have about 300 cosponsors in the 435-member House, after Fitzpatrick said the companion bill passed unanimously in the Senate.
The only step left to get the tennis Hall of Famer and activist the honor, they say, is getting the bill to the floor for a vote.
“Billie Jean’s a barrier breaker and hopefully she’s going to break another one,” said Fitzpatrick, a Republican. “Hopefully this will be the first of many.”
The bill was introduced last September on the 50th anniversary of King’s victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes,” still the most-watched tennis match of all-time. Also in 1973, King led the push that made the U.S. Open the first tournament to award equal prize money to its men’s and women’s champions, and the WTA Tour was created.
The gold medal, awarded by Congress for distinguished achievements and contributions to society, have previously been given to athletes such as baseball players Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente, and golfers Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer.
Sherrill, a Democrat, said it’s clear how much support there is now to award it to King.
“We need her advocacy,” Sherrill said. “Like, when Billie Jean King shows up on the Hill, our Speaker Emerita Pelosi shows up for her because of that relationship and how influential she’s been to so many women, and has made such an impact for so many of us.”
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
veryGood! (7452)
Related
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- How to enter $1 million competition for recording extraterrestrial activity on a Ring device
- Serbia releases from custody a Kosovo Serb leader suspected of a role in ambush of Kosovo policemen
- Lawyers of Imran Khan in Pakistan oppose his closed-door trial over revealing official secrets
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Murder suspect sought after man stabbed multiple times in 'unthinkable' attack
- Spike Lee always had a vision. Now a new Brooklyn exhibit explores his prolific career.
- Rep. Henry Cuellar's carjacking highlights rising crime rate in nation's capital
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Suspect charged in rapper Tupac Shakur’s fatal shooting will appear in a court in Las Vegas
Ranking
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- ‘Tennessee Three’ Democrat sues over expulsion and House rules that temporarily silenced him
- Gunbattle at hospital in Mexico kills 4, including doctor caught in the crossfire: Collateral damage
- ‘Miracle’ water year in California: Rain, snow put state’s reservoirs at 128% of historical average
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Azerbaijan arrests several former top separatist leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh
- A bus crash in a Venice suburb kills at least 21 people
- Why Travis Kelce Wants the NFL to Be a Little More Delicate About Taylor Swift Coverage
Recommendation
Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
'A real tight-knit group:' Military unit mourns after 2 soldiers killed in Alaska vehicle crash
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rallies his Conservatives by saying he’s ready to take tough decisions
'Mean Girls' day: Paramount releases entire movie on TikTok for fans
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
Conservation group Sea Shepherd to help expand protection of the endangered vaquita porpoise
David Beckham’s Reaction to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Is Total Goals
Kevin McCarthy removed as House speaker in historic vote