Desantis attributes posthumous medals to Jimmy Buffett, 4 other Floridians

Florida Gov. Ron Desantis has posthumously awarded five Floridians posthumously, including the singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and the former Republican and Democrats politicians, with the governor’s freedom medal.

“I am proud to recognize the heritage of these great Floridians,” said Desantis in a statement.

“Our state is better for their contributions, and we are proud that they called Florida Home,” he continued. “They each won the honor of being awarded the governor’s freedom medal.”

The governor awarded one of the highest honors in the state in Buffett, the former representative of the United States of the GOP and the State legislator Lincoln Diaz-Balart, to the former Democratic Governor and American senator Bob Graham, the former Democratic Governor and American representative Buddy Mackay, and the former republican president of the Florida Chamber.

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Florida governor Ron Desantis posthumously awarded five Floridians posthumously, including the singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, with the governor’s freedom medal. (Erika Goldring / Getty Images)

Buffett, who died in 2023 at the age of 76, was a legendary musical icon which became famous in the 1970s and was best known for tubes like “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.

In addition to its musical activities, Buffett was also involved in business, launching restaurants, stations and goods under the brand “Margaritaville”, in particular by opening its first Margaritaville store in Key West in 1985 and opening a Margaritaville coffee nearby two years later.

“His heritage continues to influence music and culture in the coastal communities of Florida,” said a release from the Governor’s office.

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Lincoln Díaz-Balart was an exiled Cubana-American from his country of origin after the Communist Revolution. (Douglas Graham / Roll Call)

Diaz-Balart, who died earlier this year at the age of 70, was an exiled Cubanano-American from his country of origin after the Communist Revolution. He was an ardent defender of communism and oppression, and pushed strong for a free Cuba during his mandate, which included work in the Chamber and the Senate of Florida before serving in the Chamber of the United States.

Graham, who died last year at the age of 87, served in the two chambers of the Florida Legislative Assembly before serving as American governor and senator.

“Democrat, Graham was widely respected for his work on education, environmental conservation and national security,” said the release of the Governor’s office.

John Thrasher was a speaker of Florida House and president of Florida State University. (Getty Images)

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Mackay, who was the last Democratic State Governor, died last year at the age of 91. Its public service also included the service of the two chambers of the state legislature and the Chamber of the United States, while being the Lieutenant-Governor of the State of Sunshine and later the American Special End for the Americas under the Clinton administration.

Thrasher died earlier this year at the age of 81 after being president of Florida State University, president of the Republican Party of Florida and in the two chambers of the State Legislative Assembly. He also served in the army during the Vietnam War.

Fox News Digital contacted the governor’s office for additional comments.