Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday reportedly presented the Governor’s Medal of Freedom, Florida’s highest civilian award, to five individuals whose contributions helped shape the state’s cultural, political, and civic life.
The posthumous honors went to Bob Graham, Buddy MacKay, Jimmy Buffett, Lincoln Díaz-Balart, and John Thrasher.
“These great Floridians exemplified what it means to be a leader, a visionary, and a proud citizen of our state,” Mr. DeSantis said in a statement. “I’m proud to recognize their legacies.
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 award, established by state law in 2020, is reserved for those who have made especially meritorious contributions to Florida’s citizens, culture, or public life. Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden was the first recipient in 2021.
Among this year’s honorees was Lincoln Díaz-Balart (1954–2025), a Cuban-American attorney and Republican congressman who represented South Florida for nearly two decades.
Born in Havana, his family fled the communist revolution and settled in Miami. In Washington, he became a fierce advocate for democracy, authoring provisions of the Cuban Liberty Act that codified the U.S. embargo against the Castro regime in 1996.
He also co-founded the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute to expand economic opportunity for Hispanics nationwide. Mr. Díaz-Balart, who began his career in the Florida legislature, remained an outspoken voice for the oppressed people of Cuba until his death.
John Thrasher (1943–2025), another honoree, was a Vietnam War veteran, lawyer, and Republican leader who rose to Speaker of the Florida House in 1998.
He later chaired the Republican Party of Florida, helping engineer sweeping GOP victories in 2010, including statewide cabinet races, four U.S. House pickups, and legislative supermajorities. His leadership left a lasting mark on the state’s political landscape.
The governor also recognized the cultural influence of Jimmy Buffett (1946–2023), the singer-songwriter whose “Margaritaville” empire helped shape Florida’s coastal identity.
Beyond his music, Mr. Buffett was a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and advocate for ocean conservation and manatee protection. His music and brand remain synonymous with Florida’s easygoing, coastal lifestyle.
Two Democratic figures were also honored. Bob Graham (1936–2024), Florida’s 38th governor and later a U.S. senator, built a reputation on education, the environment, and national security.
He chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee and co-chaired the 9/11 inquiry. After leaving the Senate, he continued shaping public policy through the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida.
Buddy MacKay (1933–2024), a citrus farmer turned public servant, served in the Florida legislature, the U.S. House, and ultimately as lieutenant governor and briefly as governor following the death of Lawton Chiles in 1998.
He later worked as Special Envoy for the Americas under President Bill Clinton, traveling across Latin America to address trade, security, and human rights issues.
By honoring figures from both political parties, Governor DeSantis underscored the importance of civic contribution over partisanship, even as his selections highlighted legacies of strong leadership and service.
The recognition of leaders like Díaz-Balart and Thrasher reflected Florida’s conservative ascendancy, while Graham and MacKay embodied a bipartisan respect for public service. Buffett’s inclusion added a cultural dimension, affirming the ways art and enterprise can also shape a state’s identity.
“These recipients,” Mr. DeSantis said, “earned their place in Florida’s history.”
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