Volume 96 · 109
Public Law 97–192
To recognize the organization known as the American Council of Learned Societies.
Approved June 1, 1982
Statutory text
An Act
To recognize the organization known as the American Council of Learned Societies.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. charter
The American Council of Learned Societies, organized
American Council of Learned Societies.
Charter.
and incorporated under the Nonprofit Corporation Act of the District of Columbia, is hereby recognized as such and is granted a charter.
Sec. 2. powers
American Council of Learned Societies (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 advancement of the humanistic studies in all fields of learning and the maintenance and strengthening of relations among the national societies devoted to such studies, and the corporation shall function 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
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 constitution and 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 Federal law”, approved August 30, 1964 (36 U.S.C. 1101), is amended by adding at the end thereof the following:
“(56) American Council of Learned Societies.”.
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 in 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.
Approved June 1, 1982.