[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 163 (Wednesday, October 4, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 401--HONORING THE LIFE, LEGACY, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF 
                         JAMES WILLIAM BUFFETT

  Mr. WICKER (for himself and Mrs. Hyde-Smith) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 401

       Whereas, James William ``Jimmy'' Buffett was born on 
     Christmas Day, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the first of 
     James Delaney Buffett, Jr., and Mary Lorraine Peets Buffett's 
     three children;
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett grew up in Mobile, Alabama, attending 
     grade school at St. Ignatius Catholic School and the McGill 
     Institute, an all-boys school, where he served as an altar 
     boy;
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett acquired a love of music, sailing, and 
     aviation, a child of the sights and sounds of south 
     Mississippi;
       Whereas, in 1964, Mr. Buffett attended Auburn University 
     for one year, was initiated into Kappa Sigma Fraternity, 
     Epsilon-Nu Chapter, learned how to play the guitar from a 
     fellow student, and then transferred to Pearl River Community 
     College in Poplarville, Mississippi;
       Whereas, in 1966, Mr. Buffett transferred to the University 
     of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and, in 
     1969, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in history 
     and journalism;
       Whereas, in 1970, Mr. Buffett moved to Nashville, 
     Tennessee, carrying with him his dream to be a country singer 
     and releasing his first album, ``Down to Earth'';
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett pioneered his own ``Gulf and Western'' 
     genre of music, blending country, folk, and pop to celebrate 
     life by the sea;
       Whereas, in 1975, Mr. Buffett formed his touring group of 
     singers and songwriters, The Coral Reefer Band;
       Whereas, in 1977, Mr. Buffett released the hit song, 
     ``Margaritaville,'' and his first platinum album, ``Changes 
     in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes'';
       Whereas, in 2003, Mr. Buffett received his first Country 
     Music Award for his song, ``It's 5 O'clock Somewhere'';
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett contributed songs to the films 
     ``Summer Rental,'' ``Fast Times at Ridgemont High,'' ``Urban 
     Cowboy,'' and ``FernGully: The Last Rainforest'';
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett appeared in films and television 
     shows, including ``Repo Man,'' ``Hook,'' ``Sesame Street,'' 
     ``Hawaii Five-O,'' ``Jurassic World,'' ``NCIS: New Orleans,'' 
     and ``The Beach Bum'';
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett's commercial success brought ``Gulf 
     and Western'' into mainstream country music, shaping the 
     styles of stars like Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, and Zac 
     Brown;
       Whereas, along the way, Mr. Buffett opened the first 
     Margaritaville Cafe on Duval Street in Key West, Florida, 
     which was so successful it led to 23 Margaritavilles, one JWB 
     Prime Steak and Seafood, and seven 5 o'clock Somewhere Bar 
     and Grills;
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett extended his business activity, 
     investing in beer brands, partnering with casino companies, 
     owning sports teams, releasing a video game, and building 
     retirement communities, among other endeavors;
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett had a third career as a writer, 
     authoring best-selling books, including--
       (1) ``Tales from Margaritaville'';
       (2) ``Where is Joe Merchant''; and
       (3) ``A Pirate Looks at Fifty'';
       Whereas, over the course of his 50-year recording career, 
     Mr. Buffett gave life to over 30 studio albums that sold over 
     20,000,000 copies worldwide;
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett was nominated twice for Grammy Awards 
     by the Recording Academy of the United States;
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett's entrepreneurial spirit created 
     thousands of jobs and led to levels of financial success rare 
     among musicians;
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett's songs, restaurants, and stories 
     resonated with generations of grateful fans, ``Parrotheads,'' 
     and casual listeners alike;
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett offered escapist experiences that 
     helped fans worldwide delight in life's simple pleasures;
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett was philanthropic, giving his time, 
     finances, and music to support the troops of the United 
     States, disaster relief efforts, conservation activities, and 
     more;
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett died on September 1, 2023, and is 
     preceded in death by his parents, Mary Lorraine Peets Buffett 
     and James Delaney Buffett, Jr.; and
       Whereas, Mr. Buffett is survived by his wife, Jane Slagsvol 
     Buffett, and three children, Cameron Marley Buffett, Sarah 
     Delaney Buffett, and Savannah Jane Buffett: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, that the Senate--
       (1) honors the life and legacy of James William ``Jimmy'' 
     Buffett for his contributions to music, his State, and his 
     country;
       (2) extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and 
     friends of Mr. Buffett; and
       (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the family of Mr. 
     Buffett as a token of the United State Senate's respect and 
     admiration for his life's work.

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