Five famous Floridians who identified as Sunshine State residents, including musician Jimmy Buffet, were awarded the Governor’s Medal of Freedom Wednesday.
In addition, Gov. Ron DeSantis bestowed the medal upon the late Democratic Govs. Bob Graham and Buddy MacKay Jr., South Florida Congressman Lincoln Díaz-Balart, and former Florida State University President John Thrasher.
“I’m proud to recognize the legacies of these great Floridians,” DeSantis said. “Our state is better for their contributions, and we’re proud they called Florida home. They have each earned the honor of being awarded the Governor’s Medal of Freedom.”
Buffet wasn’t born in Florida but had a strong connection to the state, living here for many years. He was active in conservation efforts, including performing in 2015 at the Florida Capitol at an Everglades Coalition rally.
Buffet died in 2023; the Florida Legislature designated A1A, the road that meanders along Florida’s eastern coast, “Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.”
Buffet was friends with fellow honoree Graham, a Democrat born in Coral Gables who served as governor from 1979-1987 and as U.S. senator from 1987-2005. After retiring from the Senate, he remained active in public policy and civic education, giving back to his alma mater, the University of Florida, through the Bob Graham Center for Public Service. Graham died in April 2024.
MacKay served as governor for less than a month following Gov. Lawton Chiles’ death and is the second Democratic politico who received the medal. Mackay, who died in January, was the last Democrat to serve as governor in Florida, marking the bridge between two political eras. He had just lost to Jeb Bush in the 1998 governor’s race when Chiles died in December of that year.
MacKay was just two years removed from a bid for the U.S. Senate that he narrowly lost to Connie Mack when he became Chiles’ running mate. Part of Mack’s signature line against MacKay was, “Hey, Buddy you’re a liberal.”
The Governor’s Medal of Freedom was established in 2020 under Section 14.35, Florida Statutes, which allows the governor to recognize any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to the interests and citizens of the state, its culture, or other significant public or private endeavor.
Attorney and Republican politician Díaz-Balart was born in Havana, Cuba. He served in the U.S. House for 18 years and authored key pieces of legislation including provisions of the Cuban Liberty (Libertad) Act which codified the U.S. embargo against the Cuban dictatorship in 1996.
He also co-founded the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute in 2003 to help advance economic opportunities for the Hispanic community in Washington, D.C., and across the country. Before Congress, he served in the Florida House and Senate. He died in March 2025.
Thrasher was president of FSU from 2014 through 2021, the culmination of a lengthy career that began with him lobbying for the Florida Medical Association and eventually led him to serve in both chambers of the Florida Legislature. Thrasher, born in South Carolina but raised in Jacksonville, was speaker of the House for his last two years in the chamber.
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
This article originally appeared here and was republished with permission.
