SCOPE AND CONTENT

The Jack Hightower Papers consist of approximately 412 linear feet of correspondence, printed material, financial records, research material, speeches, scrapbook material and photographs documenting the years 1946 to 1984, with the bulk falling between 1965 and 1984. These materials cover all of Hightower's activities associated with elected offices he held during this period, in addition to documenting many other activities that he engaged in during this time. The Hightower Papers naturally divide into three subgroups reflecting both the order in which they were accessioned and processed, as well as major periods in Hightower's professional career:

A. 1946-1965, Texas House of Representatives, and District Attorney of Vernon, Texas;
B. 1965-1974, Texas Senate; and
C. 1975-1985, U.S. House of Representatives.

Most of the material is divided into series within the subgroups on a functional basis and then further arranged chronologically. Original filing systems have been followed or recreated as much as possible, with original file labels modified where necessary to clarify contents or improve indexing. Additional detailed scope and content notes are provided for most of the series.

Although the Hightower Papers are rich in material representing a variety of major issues of importance to both Texas and the nation during the period covered, materials concerned with two particular events are of great enough historical significance to merit special mention in this note. As a senior Texas State Senator when the Texas Constitutional Convention was held in 1974, Hightower played a prominent role which is reflected in the depth of materials in his papers which document preparations for the Convention and the actual proceedings. Later, during the early eighties while Hightower was serving in the House of Representatives, one of the most controversial issues faced by Congress was the reform of the national budget. Since Hightower was a member of the Appropriations Committee and its Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee, his files include an abundance of important source material for research in this area, particularly regarding the impact of budget revisions on national farm policy. | Top |

See also Biographical Directory of the United States Congress