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The bill to honor King, the tennis Hall of
Famer and activist, had already passed unanimously in the
Senate.
Sherrill, a Democrat, said in a statement that King's “lifetime
of advocacy and hard work changed the landscape for women and
girls on the court, in the classroom, and the workplace.”
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. The medal,
awarded by Congress for distinguished achievements and
contributions to society, has previously been given to athletes
including baseball players Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente,
and golfers Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer.
King had already been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
in 2009. Fitzpatrick, a Republican, says 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.”
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