Volume 80 · 952
Public Law 89–673
To grant the consent of the Congress to the acceptance of certain gifts and decorations from foreign governments, and for other purposes.
Approved October 15, 1966
Statutory text
AN ACT
To grant the consent of the Congress to the acceptance of certain gifts and decorations from foreign governments, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That this Act may he cited as the “Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966”.
Sec. 2.
In this Act—
The term “person” includes every person who occupies an office or a position in the Government of the United States, its territories and possessions, the Canal Zone government, and the government of the District of Columbia, or is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a member of the family and household of any such person.
The term “foreign government” includes every foreign government and every official, agent, or representative thereof.
The term “gift” includes any present or thing, other than a decoration, tendered by or received from a foreign government.
The term “decoration” includes any order, device, medal, badge, insignia, or emblem tendered by or received from a foreign government.
Sec. 3.
No person shall request or otherwise encourage the tender of a gift or decoration.
Sec. 4.
Congress hereby gives its consent to a person to accept and retain a gift of minimal value tendered or received as a souvenir or mark of courtesy. A gift of more than minimal value may also be accepted by a person when it appears that to refuse the gift would be likely to cause offense or embarrassment or otherwise adversely affect the foreign relations of the United States; however, gifts of more than minimal value shall be deemed to have been accepted on behalf of the United States and shall be deposited by the donee for use and disposal as the property of the United States in accordance with the rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Act.
Sec. 5.
Congress hereby gives its consent to a person to accept, retain, and wear a decoration which has been tendered in recognition of active field service in time of combat operations or which has been awarded for other outstanding or unusually meritorious performance, subject to the approval of the department, agency, office, or other entity in which such person is employed and the concurrence of the Secretary of State. In the absence or such approval and concurrence, the decoration shall be deposited by the donee for use and disposal as the property of the United States in accordance with the rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Act.
Sec. 6.
Any gift or decoration on deposit with the Department of State on the date of enactment of this Act shall, when approved by the Secretary of State and the appropriate department, agency, office, or other entity, be released to the donee or his legal representative. Such donee may, if authorized, be entitled to wear any decoration so approved. A gift or decoration not approved for release, because of any special or unusual circumstances involved, shall be deemed a gift to the United States and shall be deposited by the donee in accordance with the rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Act.
Sec. 7.
Rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act may be prescribed by or under the authority of the President.
Sec. 8.
Sections 2 and 3 of the Act of January 31, 1881 (21 Stat. 604; 5 U.S.C. 114, 115), are repealed.
Section 2 of the Act of June 27, 1934 (48 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. 115a), is repealed.
Sect ion 1002 of the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended (60 Stat. 1030; 22 U.S.C. 804), is further amended by deleting the first sentence and by striking out “however,” in the second sentence.
Approved October 15, 1966.