The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861–1865, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Ohio, is recognized as such and is granted a Federal charter.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §1, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1020.)
The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861–1865 (hereinafter in this chapter 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.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §2, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1020.)
The objects and purposes of the corporation are those provided in its articles of incorporation and, for the purpose of perpetuating the memories of the fathers of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861–1865, their loyalty to the Union, and their unselfish sacrifices for the preservation of the same, shall include the following:
(1) Encouraging the preservation of historic sites and the construction and preservation of monuments commemorating any aspect of the Civil War.
(2) Building and maintaining a Museum of Civil War History, admission to which shall be free and open to the public, in the city of Springfield, Illinois, as a repository of Civil War documents, artifacts, and cultural relics.
(3) Maintaining a library in connection with the Civil War museum, admission to which shall be open to the public, containing the official volumes of the War of the Rebellion Records, Civil War genealogical files, Adjutant General reports of the various States, military and biographical records and accounts of the individual service of Union soldiers, sailors, and marines, diaries, letters, relics, and other records.
(4) Promulgating and teaching American history, particularly the history of the Civil War period, through the establishment of scholarship programs at the National and State levels, the presentation of American flags to youth groups and newly naturalized citizens, and the sponsorship of contests of educational merit.
(5) Caring for veterans of all wars through volunteer programs in Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and in homes and other institutions maintained by the States for the welfare of American veterans.
(6) Participating, in a spirit of cooperation and reciprocity, in programs with other societies devoted to American history, veterans’ affairs, or community interests.
The corporation shall function as a veterans’ and patriotic organization as authorized by the laws of the State or States in which it is incorporated.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §3, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1020; Pub. L. 102–54, §13(n)(8), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 278.)
1991—Par. (5). Pub. L. 102–54 substituted “Department of Veterans Affairs” for “Veterans’ Administration”.
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.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §4, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1021.)
Eligibility for membership in the corporation and the rights and privileges of members of the corporation shall be as provided in the constitution and bylaws of the corporation.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §5, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1021.)
The composition of the board of directors of the corporation and the responsibilities of such board 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.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §6, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1021.)
The positions of officers of the corporation and the election of members to such positions 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.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §7, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1021.)
No part of the income or assets of the corporation may inure to the benefit of any member, officer, or director of the corporation or be distributed to any such individual 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 and necessary expenses in amounts approved by the board of directors.
The corporation may not make any loan to any officer, director, or employee of the corporation.
(1) The corporation may not contribute to, support, or otherwise participate in any political activity or attempt in any manner to influence legislation.
(2) No officer or director of the corporation, acting as such officer or director, may commit any act prohibited under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
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 the authorization of the Federal Government for any of its activities.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §8, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1021.)
The corporation shall be liable for the acts of its officers and agents whenever such officers and agents have acted within the scope of their authority.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §9, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1022.)
The corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and 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 in any proceeding of the corporation. All books and records of such corporation may be inspected by any member having the right to vote in any corporation proceeding, 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.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §10, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1022.)
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 the report of the audit required by section 1101(70) of this title. The report shall not be printed as a public document.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §12, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1022.)
Section 1101(70) of this title, referred to in text, was in the original “section 11 of this Act”, meaning section 11 of Pub. L. 99–172, which amended section 1101 of this title to include Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861–1865 within the definition of “private corporations established under Federal law”. Section 1103 of this title requires a report to Congress on the annual audit of private corporations established under Federal law.
The right to alter, amend, or repeal this chapter is expressly reserved to the Congress.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §13, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1022.)
For purposes of this chapter, the term “State” includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories and possessions of the United States.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §14, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1022.)
The corporation shall maintain its status as an organization exempt from taxation as provided in title 26. If the corporation fails to maintain such status, the charter granted by this chapter shall expire.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §15, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1022; Pub. L. 99–514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095.)
1986—Pub. L. 99–514 substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954”, which for purposes of codification was translated as “title 26” thus requiring no change in text.
If the corporation shall fail to comply with any of the restrictions or provisions of this chapter, the charter granted by this chapter shall expire.
(Pub. L. 99–172, §16, Dec. 9, 1985, 99 Stat. 1023.)