DEAR EDITOR:

In your editorial, “Haaland’s nomination meaningful,” you stated that U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, a Native American, would be the first to serve in a president’s cabinet, if confirmed as Interior Dept. Secretary in the Biden Administration.

I beg to differ. Vice President Charles Curtis, a mixed-race Kaw Indian / white from Kansas was the first to serve in a president’s cabinet, under Herbert Hoover; therefore, Deb Haaland will be the second person of color to serve in a president’s cabinet, and Kamala Harris will be the second person of color to be vice president. No first place there. Harris will be the first female vice president, though.

This information came from an outstanding high school government / American history class, which required us to memorize the presidents and vice presidents, along with the chief justices.

My class essay was on Abraham Lincoln and his administrations. Are high school students being taught American government and American history, or is that left up to CNN, MSNBC, YouTube and Facebook?

WALTER DOMBROSKI

Salem