Governor Ron DeSantis honors the legacy of five Florida icons with the posthumous Medal of Freedom in Tallahassee ceremony
Tallahassee, Florida – In a ceremony steeped in reflection and gratitude, Governor Ron DeSantis has posthumously awarded the Governor’s Medal of Freedom to five Floridians whose legacies continue to shape the state’s history, culture, and civic life. The honor, regarded as one of Florida’s highest, was presented to former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham, former Governor Buddy MacKay, musician and entrepreneur Jimmy Buffett, Congressman Lincoln Díaz-Balart, and Florida State University President John Thrasher.
The recognition underscores a broad sweep of contributions ranging from political leadership and higher education to music, literature, and advocacy for both human rights and environmental conservation. Governor DeSantis framed the event as both a celebration and a reminder of the enduring power of individual service.
“I’m proud to recognize the legacies of these great Floridians,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “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.”
The Medal and Its Meaning
The Governor’s Medal of Freedom, established in 2020 under state statute, allows Florida’s governor to recognize those who have made “especially meritorious” contributions to the state and its citizens. Since its creation, the medal has been awarded to a small number of individuals, beginning with legendary Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden in 2021. Each honoree represents a distinct chapter in Florida’s narrative, with achievements that stretch beyond state borders into national and even international arenas.
By awarding this distinction posthumously, the state honors lives already completed but not forgotten—acknowledging achievements that continue to resonate in Florida’s civic identity, cultural life, and collective memory.
Jimmy Buffett: A Voice of Coastal Living
Perhaps no figure on the list embodied Florida’s lifestyle quite like Jimmy Buffett. Although born in Mississippi and raised in Alabama, Buffett became synonymous with Florida’s coastal spirit. Rising to fame in the 1970s with laid-back anthems like Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise, Buffett turned his music into more than just entertainment—it became a philosophy of relaxation, escape, and appreciation for island living.
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Beyond the stage, Buffett created a vast business empire under the Margaritaville brand, encompassing restaurants, resorts, and merchandise. He also wrote bestselling books and was deeply engaged in environmental causes, with particular devotion to protecting manatees and ocean ecosystems. Buffett’s passing in 2023 left fans worldwide mourning, but his impact remains visible across Florida’s beaches, marinas, and communities shaped by his music and message.
Lincoln Díaz-Balart: A Voice Against Oppression
Lincoln Díaz-Balart, who passed away in 2025, is remembered for his unwavering advocacy for freedom, particularly for the Cuban people still living under authoritarian rule. Born in Havana in 1954, his family fled Cuba following the revolution and built a new life in Miami. From there, Díaz-Balart rose into politics, serving first in the Florida House and Senate before winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served nearly two decades.
In Congress, he was instrumental in authoring the Cuban Liberty (Libertad) Act of 1996, which codified the U.S. embargo against the Cuban regime. He also co-founded the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, broadening economic and leadership opportunities for Hispanic Americans nationwide. Even after leaving office, Díaz-Balart remained active in his advocacy, insisting on solidarity with those under oppression. His life story mirrors the journey of thousands of Cuban exiles who made South Florida their home, and his legacy remains tightly interwoven with Miami’s cultural and political fabric.
Bob Graham: A Statesman and Teacher
Bob Graham’s career was one of the most distinguished in Florida politics. Serving as the state’s 38th Governor from 1979 to 1987 and later as a U.S. Senator until 2005, Graham was known for his steady, thoughtful leadership. A Democrat who gained respect across party lines, he left a reputation for prioritizing education, environmental stewardship, and national security.
As chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Graham played a pivotal role in the congressional inquiry into the September 11 attacks. Yet he was equally remembered for his attention to local detail, often keeping meticulous diaries of his daily work. After leaving public office, Graham returned to his alma mater, the University of Florida, where he helped establish the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, ensuring future generations of Floridians would be prepared for civic life. His death in 2024 closed a chapter in state history, but his influence remains embedded in classrooms, public policy, and Florida’s memory of bipartisan leadership.
Buddy MacKay: The Public Servant’s Public Servant
Kenneth “Buddy” MacKay Jr., who passed in 2024, represented a different tradition in Florida politics: that of the farmer-lawyer turned statesman. MacKay served in nearly every level of government—from the Florida House and Senate to the U.S. Congress, and eventually as Lieutenant Governor. In 1998, following the sudden death of Governor Lawton Chiles, MacKay assumed the governorship, steering the state through a brief but important period of transition.
Later, President Bill Clinton appointed him as Special Envoy for the Americas, where he worked on trade, human rights, and security issues throughout Latin America. His travels took him to 26 countries in the hemisphere, reinforcing Florida’s central role in hemispheric affairs. Known for his humility, civility, and commitment to environmental and human rights issues, MacKay’s story illustrates a lifelong dedication to both state and global service.
John Thrasher: A Leader in Politics and Education
John Thrasher, who died earlier in 2025, was a man whose career bridged law, politics, and education. A Vietnam War veteran and lawyer by training, Thrasher entered Florida politics and rose quickly, serving as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives in 1998. His influence extended into party leadership, where as Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida he oversaw a wave of GOP victories in 2010.
But Thrasher’s most transformative role came later, when he was appointed President of Florida State University in 2014. Over seven years, he led campaigns that raised more than $1 billion and elevated the school into the ranks of the top 20 public universities nationwide. Admired for his integrity and devotion to students, Thrasher was remembered not just as a political leader, but as a champion of higher education and civic engagement.
Honoring Florida’s Story
The awarding of the Governor’s Medal of Freedom to these five figures reflects a broad vision of what it means to contribute to Florida. From Jimmy Buffett’s melodies drifting across the coast, to Lincoln Díaz-Balart’s speeches for Cuban freedom, to Bob Graham’s legislative leadership, Buddy MacKay’s quiet diplomacy, and John Thrasher’s institutional transformation, each of these individuals shaped the state in different ways.
The Medal, while symbolic, also carries a practical weight—it cements memory into public record, ensuring that future Floridians will not only recall names but also understand the deeper values of service, creativity, resilience, and leadership that defined these lives.
Their stories highlight the diversity of Florida itself: coastal and inland, Republican and Democrat, entertainer and lawmaker, advocate and educator. Together, their legacies illustrate the state’s ongoing evolution and its reliance on individuals willing to step forward and lead in their own unique ways.
As Governor DeSantis noted during the ceremony, Florida is “better for their contributions.” In honoring them now, the state ensures that those contributions endure—not only in textbooks or political records, but in the living memory of the people and communities they served.
