Marking Another Trailblazing Victory for Billie Jean as the First Female Athlete To Receive the Congressional Gold Medal
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) announced the passage of his bipartisan, bicameral legislation with Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) in the House of Representatives to award Billie Jean King the Congressional Gold Medal. This honor celebrates her remarkable lifetime of advocacy and tireless pursuit of equality both on and off the tennis court. With the President’s signature, Billie Jean King will become the first female athlete in history to receive this distinguished recognition.
“Billie Jean King: American icon, legendary athlete, trailblazer, ardent advocate—and now, the first female athlete to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. I am proud to have authored and led this bipartisan, bicameral effort with Rep. Sherrill and Senator Gillibrand to award the indomitable Billie Jean with the Congressional Gold Medal for her lifetime of advocacy and leadership in the pursuit of equality. Throughout her extraordinary life, Billie Jean has broken barriers, led uncharted paths, and inspired countless people to stand proudly with courage and conviction in the fight for what is right. With this bill getting signed into law, we are cementing Billie Jean's legacy as both a champion of tennis and equality whose impact will continue to inspire and empower future generations,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
“Billie Jean King’s lifetime of advocacy and hard work changed the landscape for women and girls on the court, in the classroom, and the workplace. That’s why it has been an absolute honor to help lead the bipartisan effort to add another ‘first’ to Billie Jean’s resume of trailblazing accomplishments: the first individual female athlete to earn the Congressional Gold Medal,” said Rep. Sherrill. “From fighting for Title IX and equal pay, to her ongoing advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, Billie Jean King has truly impacted the lives of so many – I am thrilled that we are finally recognizing her with Congress’s highest honor. I am grateful to Senator Gillibrand and Rep. Fitzpatrick for their ongoing partnership in getting this gold medal across the finish line and I look forward to President Biden signing it into law!”
“Billie Jean is an American icon, a tennis legend whose accomplishments on the court are only rivaled by her work off it,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). “From her pioneering work on gender equality and Title IX to her advocacy for the LGBTQ community, Billie Jean used her talent and platform to create lasting change. No one could be more fitting to receive the first Congressional Gold Medal awarded to an individual woman athlete. I look forward to seeing this bill get signed into law.”
After passing the House and Senate with overwhelming support from both parties, Rep. Fitzpatrick’s and Sherrill’s legislation will head to President Biden’s desk for a signature – completing a yearslong effort to award Billie Jean King with Congress’s highest honor.
The Congressional Gold Medal will add to Billie Jean’s impressive list of accomplishments and recognitions, including earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which she was awarded back in 2009.
Watch Representative Fitzpatrick’s Floor Speech in support of the bill here.
Read the full bill text here.
Background:
The Congressional Gold Medal is the oldest and highest civilian award in the United States awarded by Congress. Less than 200 people, events, and institutions have been awarded the prestigious distinction.
Rep. Fitzpatrick previously fought for and secured the Congressional Gold Medal for our nation’s Rosie the Riveters, through his bipartisan, bicameral legislation, the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act. This historic bill was signed into law on December 4th, 2020, and honored the incredible American women who joined the workforce and volunteered in support of the war effort during World War II
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