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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 401 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 401

 Honoring the life, legacy, and contributions of James William Buffett.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 4, 2023

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Honoring the life, legacy, and contributions of James William Buffett.

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.
                                 <all>
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