Oklahoma Holocaust Commission
SB 1192 AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to state government; creating the Oklahoma Holocaust Commission; providing membership; designating selection of the chair of the Commission; designating a quorum of membership and meeting requirements; providing for travel reimbursement; stating duties and responsibilities of Commission; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.

Duties & Responsibilities
According to SB 1192, which passed the Oklahoma Senate General Government Committee 7-0 on February 17, the duties and responsibilities of the Oklahoma Holocaust Commission would be as follows if the bill becomes law.
1. Providing advice and assistance to public and private primary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education in the state regarding antisemitism and the Holocaust;
2. Meeting with representatives of public and private organizations to provide information on and assist in efforts of the organizations to plan, create, and implement antisemitism awareness programs and Holocaust recognition programs or events; and
3. Annually planning and organizing a Holocaust remembrance event to educate the public of the Jewish Holocaust.
Update (March 15, 2022)
Bill Promoting Holocaust Education Curriculum Passes House
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to ensure Oklahoma students are taught the history and horror of the Holocaust – the systematic, state-sponsored persecution, and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its allies and collaborators – passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday.
House Bill 3720, authored by Reps. Mark McBride, R-Oklahoma City, and John Waldron, D-Tulsa, requires Holocaust education to be taught in all public schools in a manner that:
1. Generates an understanding of the causes, course, and effects of the Holocaust.
2. Develops dialogue with students on the ramifications of bullying, bigotry, stereotyping, and discrimination.
3. Encourages tolerance of diversity.
“The horrors of the Holocaust resulted in the extermination of six million people of Jewish descent as well as many of their sympathizers during World War II,” McBride said. “And yet, it is proven that too few students in Oklahoma schools are taught or know about the Holocaust. With the war that is happening currently in Ukraine and that is threatening other parts of the world, this topic has never been more timely.”
The measure requires the State Board of Education to work in consultation with experts to develop and distribute curricula for students in grades 6-12.
Holocaust education has never been more important. As time passes and fewer Holocaust survivors and eyewitnesses remain alive, we face an alarming rise in Holocaust denial and antisemitism, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
“At a time when war once again rages in Europe, with all attendant human suffering, it is important to remind the next generation of the resilience and heroism of the Jewish community and other affected populations, and how our Greatest Generation liberated the Nazi death camps and ended that dark period of history,” Waldron said.
The legislation is now eligible to be heard in the Senate. McBride and Waldron encourage Oklahomans to reach out to state lawmakers and ask them to support HB3720.
State Rep. Mark McBride, a Republican, serves District 53 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes parts of Moore, Norman and Oklahoma City. John Waldron serves House District 77, which includes parts of Rogers and Tulsa County.
Full Text of SB 1192
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 11100 of Title 74, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. There is hereby created the Oklahoma Holocaust Commission. The Commission shall be composed of nine (9) members:
1. Three appointed by the Governor;
2. Three appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and
3. Three appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
B. The Governor shall appoint the chair of the Commission from within the membership of the Commission. Two-thirds of the members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business. The Commission shall meet at least quarterly and at such other times as may be called by the chair.
C. Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for serving on the Commission but shall receive travel reimbursement for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties by their respective agencies in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
D. The duties and responsibilities of the Oklahoma Holocaust Commission are as follows:
1. Providing advice and assistance to public and private primary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education in the state regarding antisemitism and the Holocaust;
2. Meeting with representatives of public and private organizations to provide information on and assist in efforts of the organizations to plan, create, and implement antisemitism awareness programs and Holocaust recognition programs or events; and
3. Annually planning and organizing a Holocaust remembrance event to educate the public of the Jewish Holocaust.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2022.