PASSED THE HOUSE: Sherrill, Fitzpatrick’s Legislation to Award Billie Jean King the Congressional Gold Medal
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) passed their bipartisan legislation through the House of Representatives to award Billie Jean King the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of her lifetime of work fighting for Title IX, and women’s and LGBTQ+ equality on and off the tennis court. With the President’s signature, Billie Jean King will become the first female athlete in history to earn the honor.
“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 Rep. Fitzpatrick and Senator Gillibrand 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 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 (PA-01).
“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. Sherrill and Rep. Fitzpatrick’s legislation will now 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. Read the full bill text here.
Representative Sherrill has been a leader in fighting for Title IX in athletics. She introduced the bipartisan Women in NCAA Sports (WINS) Act to address the dramatic inequities between men’s and women’s collegiate athletics. Additionally, she helped lead efforts to pass the Equal Pay for Team USA Act, ensuring that all athletes representing the United States in global amateur athletic competitions receive equal compensation and benefits in their sport, irrespective of gender.
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