Volume 95 · 1091
Public Law 97–82
To recognize the organization known as the Italian American War Veterans of the United States.
Approved November 20, 1981
Statutory text
An Act
To recognize the organization known as the Italian American War Veterans of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1.
Italian American War Veterans of the United States, organized and incorporated under the Nonprofit Corporation Acts of the States of California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, is hereby recognized as such and is granted a charter.
Sec. 2. powers
Italian American War Veterans of the United States
(hereinafter referred to as the “corporation”) shall have only those powers granted to it through its bylaws and articles of incorporation filed in the State or States in which it is incorporated and subject to the laws of such State or States.
Sec. 3. objects and purposes of corporation
The objects and purposes of the corporation are those
provided in its articles of incorporation and shall include the giving of patriotic allegiance to the United States of America, fidelity to its Constitution and laws, and support to the security of civil liberty and permanence of free institutions; the stimulation of patriotism in the minds of all Americans by encouraging the study of the history of the United States; to assure the preservation and defense of the United States of America from all enemies without any reservation whatsoever; the preservation of the memories and records of patriotic service performed by men and women who served in the Armed Forces of the United States by gathering, collating, editing, publishing, and exhibiting the memorabilia, data, records, military awards, decorations, citations of those who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, and the promotion of peace, prosperity, and good will between the peoples of the United States of America and the Republic of Italy. The corporation shall function as a veterans’ and patriotic organization as authorized by the laws of the State or States where it is incorporated.
Sec. 4. service of process
With respect to service of process, the corporation shall
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.
Sec. 5. membership
Any American citizen shall be eligible for membership in
the corporation who was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States of America, and eligibility for membership in the corporation and the rights and privileges of members shall, except as provided in this Act, be as provided in the bylaws of the corporation.
Sec. 6. board of directors; composition; responsibilities
The board of directors of the corporation and the responsibilities thereof shall be as provided in the articles of incorporation of the corporation and in conformity with the laws of the State or States in which it is incorporated.
Sec. 7. officers of corporation
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 wherein it is incorporated.
Sec. 8. restrictions
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 the officers of the corporation or reimbursement for actual necessary expenses in amounts approved by the board of directors.
The corporation shall not make any loan to any officer, director, or employee of the corporation.
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.
The corporation shall have no power to issue any shares of stock nor to declare or pay any dividends.
The corporation shall not claim congressional approval or Federal Government authority for any of its activities.
Sec. 9. liability
The corporation shall be liable for the acts of its officers and agents when acting within the scope of their authority.
Sec. 10. books and records; inspection
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. Nothing in this section shall be construed to contravene any applicable State law.
Sec. 11. audit of financial transactions
The first section of the Act entitled “An Act to provide for audit of accounts of private corporations established under the Federal law”, approved August 30, 1964 (36 U.S.C. 1101), is amended by adding at the end thereof the following:
“(54) Italian American War Veterans of the United States.”.
Sec. 12. annual report
The corporation shall report annually to the Congress
concerning the activities of the corporation during the preceding fiscal year. Such annual report shall be submitted at the same time as is the report of the audit required by section 11 of this Act. The report shall not be printed as a public document.
Sec. 13. reservation of right to amend or repeal charter
The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly
reserved to the Congress.
Sec. 14. definition of state
For purposes of this Act, the term “State” includes the
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of the United States.
Sec. 15. tax exempt status
The corporation shall maintain its status as an organization
exempt from taxation as provided in the Internal Revenue Code. If the corporation fails to maintain such status, the charter granted hereby shall expire.
Sec. 16.
If the corporation shall fail to comply with any of the
restrictions or provisions of this Act, the charter granted hereby shall expire.
Approved November 20, 1981.