John Goodwin Tower
N 32° 52.125 W 096° 46.673
14S E 707909 N 3638925
Served the State of Texas in the United States Senate for 24-years
Waymark Code: WMEWG
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 06/14/2006
Views: 58
John Goodwin Tower was born on September 29, 1925 in Houston, Texas. Even in his youth he was active in politics, passing out campaign material for Senator Ralph Yarborough. He served in the Pacific during World War II, and was discharged as seaman first class. Following his military service he returned to Texas and resumed his interest n politics. In 1960, he was chosen as the Republican candidate for the United States Senate against Lyndon Johnson. Tower lost the election to Johnson despite receiving the support of several of the states top democrats. When Johnson became Vice-President as special election was held to fill his senate seat, John Tower ran again and became the first republican to represent Texas since reconstruction. Senator Tower won reelection to the senate in 1966, 1972 and 1978. Senator Tower retired from the Senate on January 3, 1985 after 24-years of service. Following his retirement, he was appointed to several committees’ by Presidents Reagan and Bush, including being the chief United States negotiator at the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks in Geneva. In 1989 Senator Tower was nominated by President Bush to become Secretary of Defence however he was not comfirmed by the senate because some thought he had too many ties to defense contractors.
On April 5, 1991, Tower was killed along with 23 other people in the crash of Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 2311 on approach for landing at St. Simons Island, Georgia. Also killed in the crash were Tower's 35-year old daughter, Marianne, and astronaut Sonny Carter. Senator Tower and his daughter are buried in the Sparkman-Hillcrest Cemetery in Dallas Texas.
Description:
Senator Tower served in the United States Senate for 24-years. He was first elected in 1960 to fill the seat of Senator Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson who had resigned his seat to become Vice-President. He was reelected three more time before retiring in 1985. Following his retirement he was appointed to a number of presidential committees and was serving as an advisor to President George H. W. Bush at the time of his death.
Date of birth: 09/29/1925
Date of death: 04/05/1991
Area of notoriety: Politics
Marker Type: Headstone
Setting: Outdoor
Visiting Hours/Restrictions: 8:00 a.m. to Dusk
Fee required?: No
Web site: [Web Link]
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