December 8, 2020

The Honorable Mark White

Chair, House Education Committee
425 5th Avenue North
Suite 624 Cordell Hull Building
Nashville, TN 37243

Dear Representative White and Members of the House Education Committee:

We write in appreciation of the important work of the Tennessee Textbook and Instructional
Materials Quality Commission on behalf of all students in Tennessee schools. We believe that
citizens selected for this Commission should have excellent educational qualifications and be
willing to work consciously with others to create access to educational materials that
demonstrate respect for people from diverse backgrounds. With this in mind, we are concerned
regarding the appointment of Laurie Cardoza-Moore to the Textbook Commission.

The Authority and Duties of the Commission (HB2249) passed on March 11, 2014, states that
textbooks may not be approved unless the book is: free from any biases in its
viewpoints; reflects the values of the citizens of this state as manifested in the United States
Constitution , and Constitution of Tennessee. It further states that, “ in recommending textbooks
for use in social studies, Tennessee history, American history or any related subject, the
commission shall strive to recommend textbooks that accurately and comprehensively portray
the full range of diversity and achievement of racial and ethnic minorities as well as the role and
importance of religion in history.”

Members of the Commission must be willing to uphold these duties and strive to remove bias
and prejudice. We appreciate Ms. Moore’s past work regarding the inclusion of Holocaust
Education in public school settings as we see that education as an essential component of
remembering the lessons of the Holocaust. As articulated by the mission of the United States
Holocaust Museum, these lessons include:
“Understanding that democratic institutions and values are not automatically sustained,
but need to be appreciated, nurtured and protected; to question the role of silence and
indifference to the suffering of others or to the infringement of civil rights in any society
as a factor that can, however unintentionally, perpetuate these problems.”

Ms. Moore’s anti-Muslim rhetoric, activities and advocacy, are not in keeping with this mission.
Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor, humanitarian and educator, taught: “No human race is superior;
no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgments are wrong.”
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which works to respond to the escalating climate of
antisemitism and bigotry, and serves to secure justice and fair treatment for all, has publicly
stated their dismay and called upon Speaker Sexton to rescind this appointment. The next
nomination to the Textbook Commission is slated to come from East Tennessee. As
representatives of students from a minority religion, we intend to work proactively to ensure that
future nominations are more representative and respectful of the broad diversity of students in
Tennessee public schools.
Thank you for your attention and consideration,

Steven Hirsch, Eric Stillman, Leslie Kirby, Deborah Oleshansky,

President CEO Chair, Community Community Relations
Relations Committee Director