The text of the bill below is as of Dec 4, 1980 (Passed Congress).
You are reading a bill enacted 15,643 days ago. In the intervening time subsequent legislation may have amended or repealed the provisions below.
PUBLIC LAW 96-497—DEC. 4, 1980 94 STAT. 2595
Public Law 96-497
96th Congress
An Act
To incorporate the Gold Star Wives of America. Dec. 4, 1980
[S. 1179]
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, Gold Star Wives
of America.
Federal charter.
CHARTER
SECTION 1. Gold Star Wives of America, a corporation organized 36 USC 1601.
and operating under the laws of the State of New York, is hereby
recognized as such and granted a Federal charter.
POWERS
SEC. 2. Gold Star Wives of America (hereinafter referred to as the 36 use 1602.
"corporation") shall have only those powers granted to it through its
bylaws and articles of incorporation filed in the State in which it is
incorporated.
OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF CORPORATION
SEC. 3. The objects and purposes of the corporation shall be, solely, 36 USC 1603.
that it is—
(a) organized and operated in the public interest, as a nonparti-
san and nonprofit organization, with terms of membership and
requirements for holding office within the organization which
does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, or
national origin;
(b) organized and operated solely for patriotic, charitable,
literary, educational, scientific, or civic improvement purposes;
and
(c) organized for those purposes stated in its articles of incorpo-
ration which are not inconsistent with any of the foregoing
objects and purposes.
S E R V I C E OF PROCESS
SEC. 4. With respect to service of process, the corporation shall 36 USC 1604.
comply with the laws of the States in which it is incorporated and
those States in which it carries on its activities in furtherance of its
corporate purposes.
MEMBERSHIP
SEC. 5. Eligibility for membership in the corporation and the rights 36 USC 1605.
and privileges of members shall, except as provided in this Act, be as
provided in the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of the
corporation.
94 STAT. 2596 PUBLIC LAW 96-497—DEC. 4, 1980
BOARD OF DIRECTORS; COMPOSITION; RESPONSIBIUTIES
36 use 1606. SEC. 6. The board of directors of the corporation and the responsibil-
ities thereof shall be £is provided in the articles of incorporation of the
corporation and in conformity with the laws of the State or States
where incorporated.
OFFICERS OF CORPORATION
36 use 1607. SEC. 7. The officers of the corporation and the election of such
officers shall be as is provided in the articles of incorporation of the
corporation and in conformity with the laws of the State or States
where incorporated.
RESTRICTIONS
36 use 1608. SEC. 8. (a) No part of the income or assets of the corporation shall
inure to any member, officer, or director of the corporation or be
distributed to any such person during the life of this charter. Nothing
in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the payment of
reasonable compensation to officers of the corporation or reimburse-
ment for actual necessary expenses in amounts approved by the
board of directors.
Ob) The corporation shall not make any loan to any officer, director,
or employee of the corporation.
(c) The corporation and any officer and director of the corporation,
acting as such officer or director, shall not contribute to, support or
otherwise participate in any political activity or in any manner
attempt to influence legislation.
(d) The corporation shall have no power to issue any shares of stock
nor to declare or pay any dividends.
LIABIUTY
36 use 1609. SEC. 9. The corporation shall be liable for the acts of its officers and
agents when acting within the scope of their authority and in
accordance with the laws of the States in which it carries on its
BOOKS AND RECORDS; INSPECTION
36 use 1610. SEC. 10. The corporation shall keep correct and complete books and
records of account and shall keep minutes of any proceeding of the
corporation involving any of its members, the board of directors, or
any committee having authority under the board of directors. The
corporation shall keep at its principal office a record of the names and
addresses of all members having the right to vote. All books and
records of such corporation may be inspected by any member having
the right to vote, or by any agent or attorney of such member, for any
proper purpose, at any reasonable time. However, nothing in this
section shall be construed to contravene any applicable State law.
AUDIT OP FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
36 use 1101. SEC 11. The first section of the Act entitled "An Act to provide for
audit of accounts of private corporations established under Federal
law", approved August 30,1964 (Public Law 88-504; 78 Stat. 635; 36
U.S.C. 1101), is amended by adding at the end thereof the following:
"(52) Gold Star Wives of America".
PUBLIC LAW 96-497—DEC. 4, 1980 94 STAT. 2597
ANNUAL REPORT
SEC. 12. The corporation shall report annually to the Congress 36 use I6ii.
concerning the activities of the corporation during the preceding
calendar year. The report shall not be printed as a public document.
RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND OR REPEAL CHARTER
SEC. 13. The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly 36 USC 1612.
reserved to the Congress.
DEFINITION OF " S T A T E "
SEC. 14. For purposes of this Act, the term "State" means the 36 use 1613.
several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico and the territories and possessions of the United States.
TAX E X E M P T STATUS—EXPIRATION OF CHARTER
SEC. 15. The corporation shall retain its status as an organization 36 use 1614.
exempt from taxation as provided in the Internal Revenue Code. If
the corporation fails to retain such status, or if it fails to comply with
the provisions of this Act, the charter granted hereby shall expire.
Approved December 4, 1980.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-1397 accompanying H.R. 154 (Comm. on the Judiciary).
SENATE REPORT No. 96-479 (eomm. on the Judiciary).
eONGRESSIONAL REOORD:
Vol. 125 (1979): Dec. 20, considered and passed Senate.
Vol. 126 (1980): Nov. 17, considered and passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R.
154.
Nov. 21, Senate concurred in House amendment.
