A native Texan, John G. Tower is famous for his far-reaching political career that covered three decades.

He received his undergraduate degree at Southwestern University and his Masters Degree from Southern Methodist University.

His political career began in 1961, when he became the first Republican Senator elected from Texas since the Reconstruction. During his tenure in the Senate, Tower became well-known for his chairmanship of the Republican Party and Armed Services Committees.  

Following his retirement from the Senate, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1985 to serve as a member of the United States arms negotiation team in Geneva. He also served as chairman of the Tower Commission in 1987 investigating the Iran Contra scandal.  In his later years, Tower founded John Tower and Associates, a consulting firm, and was a member of President Bush's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.  His untimely death in 1991 in a plane crash shortened his career. 

The John G. Tower Digital Media Collection contains selected video and audio clips that highlight the many facets of John G. Tower’s life and career.