Looking for a cheeseburger in paradise? You could soon find one along Jimmy Buffett Highway
TALAHASSEE, Fla. — Want to languish with a cheeseburger in paradise? You could soon be doing just that while driving down Jimmy Buffett Highway with a Margaritaville license plate.
Buffett, the iconic Florida singer who died last year, wrote songs that drove tourists to the Florida Keys in search of sun, sand and relaxation.
Now the Florida Legislature wants to return the favor. A Senate committee on Wednesday unanimously approved two bills honoring Buffett after watching a short video tribute to him.
“Margaritaville is exactly what Florida is all about. Jimmy Buffett is the icon of Florida. No one represents the open sun, beaches and music more than Jimmy Buffett and Margaritaville,” said Republican Senator Gayle Harrell, who sponsored one of the bills.
State Road A1A, the historic scenic highway that winds some 345 miles along Florida’s Atlantic coast, would become the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway under one bill. The other bill would create a special license plate with the word “Margaritaville” — a Buffett song that has become a nickname for Key West.
“I prefer the one with the beach chair, the tree on the water and an airplane,” Harrell said as he showed the Senate Transportation Committee examples of proposed license plates. ‘But there’s a red parrot missing. We need to add a red one. parrot to that one.”
While the bills were enthusiastically received, Democratic state Sen. Tracie Davis couldn’t help but express a little disappointment.
“I feel a little slighted that we don’t have margaritas here,” she said, laughing.
Proceeds from license plate sales will go to a charity founded by Buffett, Singing for Change, and benefit Florida nonprofits that help victims of hurricanes and other disasters, Harrell said.
State Road A1A hugs much of the state’s coast with vast stretches of incredible ocean views for those who don’t have to rush south on Interstate 95. ‘A1A’ is also the title of a Buffet album.
“As Jimmy once said, ‘It’s a sweet life by the salt sea,’ and we couldn’t think of a better way to honor him than by memorializing him along Florida’s coastal highway,” Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book said at the presentation of her bill. .