John Tower (1925-1991)
In 1961, Tower became the first Republican senator elected in Texas since 1870. This marked the return of two-party politics to the state. He was re-elected to the U.S. Senate in 1966, 1972, and 1978. During his 24 years as senator, Tower was involved in the Banking and Currency Committee (later named the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs) and the Armed Services Committee among others. His views influenced domestic and foreign policy. He worked to strengthen national defense, improve transportation systems, and support agriculture, industry and commerce, especially that related to Texas. Tower chaired a special review committee appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 to report on the actions of the National Security Council during the Iran-Contra affair. The committee was known as the Tower Commission. Tower was killed in a plane crash near New Brunswick, Georgia, on April 5, 1991.
Additional Information Can Be Found At...
Handbook of Texas Online: TOWER, JOHN GOODWIN