The Bob Graham Center for Public Service mourns the death of Jimmy Buffett, a legendary musical artist, environmentalist and business entrepreneur who joined forces with Bob Graham to champion Florida conservation in the early 1980s, forging a bond that spanned more than four decades.
Their friendship began serendipitously when then-Gov. Bob Graham took his daughter Suzanne backstage to meet Buffett following one of his concerts.
They connected over a shared concern for the dramatic and unchecked pace of development in Florida. Together, the pair founded Save the Manatee Club in 1981 to protect the imperiled marine mammals and their aquatic habitat for future generations. The organization, which created the popular ‘Save the Manatee’ Florida license plate, has since grown into the world’s leading manatee conservation organization.
Buffett, Graham and members of Save the Manatee achieved great legislative victories for the gentle, slow-moving sea cows and raised widespread support from across the political spectrum. “They also teamed up to bring attention to the plight of the Everglades, as well as protecting the ocean and island waterways that are so crucial to the quality of life in Florida,” the Graham family members said in a statement.
“To see Bob and Jimmy together over the years was to see two men who truly respected each other.”
Over the decades, Buffett and Graham greatly enjoyed working together and were unafraid to have fun in the process. Not only did they speak at events, but also performed together regularly — though the superstar may have occasionally eclipsed the governor. One highlight of the Buffett-Graham show was the annual Press Corps Skits, a former obligation for Florida’s governor to bring his A-game to a performance for the reporters covering Florida politics.
The event also provided a break from the intensity of legislative battles, bringing together individuals from across the political divide. It is little wonder why Buffett appeared to love them so much.
In April 2021, shortly after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service controversially removed manatees from the Endangered Species List, Graham and Buffett penned a Tampa Bay Times op-ed on why protecting manatees remains so important.
“I, along with my dear friend Jimmy Buffett, urge President Joe Biden to demand that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies make protecting manatees and recovering seagrasses and other submerged aquatic vegetation a top priority in ensuring that our aquatic ecosystems are nursed back to health,” Graham wrote.
As Buffett wrote and sang in Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, “With all of our running and all of our cunning, if we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane.” The millions of smiles that Buffett has induced will continue to brighten the state every day.
Ultimately, Floridians will benefit from Buffett’s devotion to the state and its environment. Much like Bob Graham himself, Buffett used his visibility to advance the public good through ideals of civic engagement and service. Parrotheads who loved Buffett — from his music fans to those who enjoy Florida’s natural beauty — will doubtless appreciate his contributions for decades to come.