TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Mourners lined up Friday to say their final goodbyes to former Florida governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham.
A gospel choir greeted Graham's casket, which arrived at the old Florida Capitol for one last visit.
Inside, a throng of mourners, from politicians to voters, shuffled in to pay their respects.
That included everyone from Florida's current Gov. Ron DeSantis to its 40th, Bob Martinez.
Military and state law enforcement honor guards helped carry Graham's casket up the steps of the old Capitol and stood by as mourners paid their respects.
Though they came from different parties, Martinez noted Graham's work to improve Florida's public universities and his effort to diversify Florida's economy, adding 1.2 million jobs during his tenure.
Then there was Graham's heavy focus on supporting the state's natural beauty.
"I think he's the one that elevated environment because of the Everglades into a front-burner issue instead of something you do at the end of session," Martinez said.
Florida’s 38th Gov. Bob Graham arrives at the state capitol for the last time. He will lie in state at the “Old Capitol” for the next two hours (11-1) before a private burial at a nearby cemetery. pic.twitter.com/NxmuCVzoQq
— Forrest Saunders (@FBSaunders) April 26, 2024
Military and state law enforcement honor guards helped carry Graham's casket up the steps of the old Capitol and stood by as mourners paid their respects.
Though they came from different parties, Martinez noted Graham's work to improve Florida's public universities and his effort to diversify Florida's economy, adding 1.2 million jobs during his tenure.
Then there was Graham's heavy focus on supporting the state's natural beauty.
"I think he's the one that elevated environment because of the Everglades into a front-burner issue instead of something you do at the end of session," Martinez said.
Carolyn Cummings, meanwhile, said Graham's commitment to a diverse administration stuck with her as a young Black woman. That inspiration helped lead her to becoming a Leon County commissioner.
"It made me feel that I was part of government, I was part of the state and, certainly, that my voice was important as a seat at the table," she said.
Former Florida Senate President Jim Scott admired Graham's leadership style, which he said is sometimes missing from modern politics.
"He's a model that could be more copied today about statesmanship and putting the people and issues first — not so much partisan bickering," Scott said.
Then there were guys like James Boyette.
"I didn't work for the state or the federal government, but I liked him," Boyette said.
He's just a voter who connected with Graham through his legendary workdays, doing more than 400 eight-hour shifts as everything from bellhop to a burger maker in appeal to blue-collar workers.
"He had an understanding of what it is to work out in the hot Florida sun and to accomplish something," Boyette said.
Politics
Bob Graham: A politician who knew your job because he gave it a try
Graham, who died last week at 87, was elected governor in 1978 and served two terms. He was elected U.S. senator in 1986 and twice reelected in 1992 and 1998.
Before becoming Florida's governor, Graham served in the state House from 1966-70 and Senate from 1970-78.
Graham left the governor's mansion with an almost unheard-of 83% approval rating. His memory, it seems, shines on in the Sunshine State.
After the public ceremony, family members attended a private burial in Tallahassee.
The public will get one more chance to say goodbye to Graham during a memorial service set for May 11 in Miami Lakes, not far from where he was born and raised.
