Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway

by Richard Luthmann

In South Florida, Jimmy Buffett’s music is the anthem. His songs, simple and true, speak of the sea and sun. They echo in the hearts of those who walk the sandy shores. Now, Florida honors this son of the sea. If legislators have their way, a stretch of A1A in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe Counties will carry his name.

A unanimous decision by the state Senate committee sealed this tribute. They watched a film on Buffett, a man whose songs are Florida itself. His “Margaritaville” is more than a tune; it is the soul of the Sunshine State Coastline.

The renaming of State Road A1A to Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway stands as a monument. This road, winding along the Atlantic, is a symbol of Buffett’s journey.

A new license plate, emblazoned with “Margaritaville,” will also emerge. Sales from this plate will fuel Buffett’s charity, aiding those battered by storms.

Buffett’s passing, at 76, left a void. The rare skin cancer that claimed him spurred tributes across the state. A fleeting sign at Key West International Airport bore his name. It sparked a desire for a permanent tribute.

Buffett was not just a singer. He was a voice in Florida politics, a man of the sea and sand who stood for more. He fought for the environment and for the people. His music, mingling with his activism, showed a man of depth and commitment.

His legacy is not just in melodies but in the very fabric of Florida. The renaming of the road and the creation of the “Margaritaville” license plate are testaments to his enduring influence. Buffett’s spirit, like his music, will forever be a part of the Florida landscape.