Billie Jean King Congressional Gold Medal Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 2861, the bipartisan, bicameral legislation to award the incomparable and indomitable Billie Jean King, a legendary athlete, ardent advocate, and a trailblazing icon, the Congressional Gold Medal.

Mr. Speaker, last March, I proudly introduced this legislation, which has received overwhelming bipartisan support, standing at just under 300 cosponsors, a remarkable feat in and of itself.

At just 11 years old, Billie Jean set her sights on becoming the greatest tennis player the world has ever seen. Mr. Speaker, she did just that and more.

Billie Jean became a force on the tennis court and a transformative champion for equality, charting new paths for all athletes and spearheading the fight for gender equality in sports and beyond.

Beyond her extraordinary collection of trophies and 39 Grand Slam titles, Billie Jean King leveraged her remarkable achievements and prominent platform to catalyze a seismic shift in the women's movement.

Mr. Speaker, she didn't simply raise the profile of women's tennis-- she redefined its very foundation. Through her fearless defiance of the status quo, her staunch advocacy for Title IX and pay equality, and her visionary efforts to expand opportunities for girls and women in sports, Billie Jean's impact has been transformative, and her legacy of advocacy stands unmatched.

Mr. Speaker, this Friday will mark the 51st anniversary of the historic iconic Battle of the Sexes match where Billie Jean triumphantly defeated Bobby Riggs in front of tens of millions of people across America and across the globe, including my own mom who was pregnant with me at the time.

Billie Jean shattered the false narrative of women's inequality, proving that women can not only compete at the highest level, they can dominate at the highest level.

That iconic victory ignited a seismic shift in women's sports, sparking a revolution that empowered generations of women to demand their rights and seek equality in every sphere of life.

Now, five decades later, Billie Jean stands once more at the brink of yet another groundbreaking and trailblazing accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor this legislative body, the United States Congress, can bestow. It is awarded to those who have profoundly impacted our Nation's history. Past recipients include influential athletes like Roberto Clemente and Arnold Palmer.

Mr. Speaker, with the passage today of S. 2861, the indomitable Billie Jean will become the first female athlete ever in United States' history to receive this prestigious and well-deserved honor.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to my partners in the Senate, Senators Gillibrand and Capito, and our House colleagues as well, Representatives Sherrill and Malliotakis, for their incredible work, doing the hard work of garnering cosponsors on this floor day in and day out for many months.

I thank the U.S. Tennis Association for their support and tireless dedication to preserving and celebrating Billie Jean King's legacy.

Mr. Speaker, it is time to enshrine Billie Jean King's legacy as not only a champion of tennis but a champion of equality whose impact will continue to inspire women and girls and people across America and across the world.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support this measure.

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