John Tower

John Tower
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Name	John Tower
State	Texas
Term	June 15, 1961 – January 3, 1985
Preceded	William Blakley
Succeeded	Phil Gramm

John Tower was an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Texas from 1961 to 1985. He was the first Republican to be elected to the United States Senate from Texas since Reconstruction. Tower was a key figure in the Republican Party and played a significant role in shaping the party's platform, often working closely with notable figures such as Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan. His political career was marked by his involvement in various committees, including the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he worked alongside prominent senators like Strom Thurmond and Barry Goldwater.

Early life and education

John Tower was born in Houston, Texas, to a family of Methodists. He grew up in East Texas and developed an interest in politics at an early age, inspired by figures like Dwight D. Eisenhower and Herbert Hoover. Tower attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where he earned a degree in political science and was a member of the Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity, alongside other notable alumni like Lloyd Bentsen. He later attended London School of Economics, where he studied under prominent economists like Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises, and developed an interest in international relations, often discussing topics like the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations with his peers.

Military service

Tower served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946, during World War II, and was stationed on the Texas, which participated in several key battles, including the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of Iwo Jima. After the war, he continued to serve in the United States Navy Reserve, eventually rising to the rank of Commander, and was involved in various naval operations, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. Tower's military experience had a significant impact on his political views, particularly with regards to national security and foreign policy, often influencing his decisions as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he worked closely with other notable senators like Henry Kissinger and Robert Byrd.

Political career

Tower was first elected to the United States Senate in 1961, following the resignation of Lyndon B. Johnson, who had been elected Vice President under John F. Kennedy. He served on several committees, including the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, where he worked alongside notable senators like William Proxmire and Harrison Williams, and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where he collaborated with prominent figures like Howard Cannon and Warren Magnuson. Tower was a strong supporter of the Republican Party and played a key role in shaping the party's platform, often working closely with notable figures like Nelson Rockefeller and George H.W. Bush. He was also a close friend and advisor to several Presidents, including Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan, and was involved in various presidential campaigns, including the 1968 United States presidential election and the 1980 United States presidential election.

Post-Senate career and death

After leaving the United States Senate in 1985, Tower served as the Chairman of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board under Ronald Reagan and later as the United States Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush, although his nomination was ultimately rejected by the United States Senate, with opposition from notable senators like Sam Nunn and Ted Kennedy. Tower died on April 5, 1991, in a plane crash in Brunswick, Georgia, while on a trip to visit his daughter, who was a student at Duke University, and was buried in Southland Cemetery in Wichita Falls, Texas, with mourners including prominent figures like Dan Quayle and Dick Cheney.

Legacy and honors

John Tower's legacy is marked by his significant contributions to the Republican Party and his commitment to public service. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan in 1989, and the United States Navy named the Tower in his honor, which was commissioned in 1996 and has participated in various naval operations, including the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. Tower's papers are housed at Southwestern University, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by the John Tower Memorial Fund, which provides scholarships to students interested in politics and public service, and has supported notable recipients like Condoleezza Rice and Karl Rove.