183 
§ 312102. Establishment and purposes 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—To further the policy enunciated in chapter 3201 of 
this title, and to facilitate public participation in the preservation of sites, 
buildings, and objects of national significance or interest, there is established 
a charitable, educational, and nonprofit corporation to be known as the Na-
tional Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the National Trust shall be to— 
(1) receive donations of sites, buildings, and objects significant in 
American history and culture; 
(2) preserve and administer the sites, buildings, and objects for public 
benefit; 
(3) accept, hold, and administer gifts of money, securities, or other 
property of any character for the purpose of carrying out the preserva-
tion program; and 
(4) execute other functions vested in the National Trust by this chap-
ter. 
§ 312103. Principal office 
The National Trust shall have its principal office in the District of Colum-
bia and shall be deemed, for purposes of venue in civil actions, to be a resi-
dent of the District of Columbia. The National Trust may establish offices in 
other places as it may consider necessary or appropriate in the conduct of 
its business. 
§ 312104. Board of trustees 
(a) MEMBERSHIP.—The affairs of the National Trust shall be under the 
general direction of a board of trustees composed as follows: 
(1) The Attorney General, the Secretary, and the Director of the Na-
tional Gallery of Art, ex officio. 
(2) Not fewer than 6 general trustees who shall be citizens of the 
United States. 
(b) DESIGNATION OF ANOTHER OFFICER.—The Attorney General and the 
Secretary, when it appears desirable in the interest of the conduct of the busi-
ness of the Board and to such extent as they consider it advisable, may, by 
written notice to the National Trust, designate any officer of their respective 
departments to act for them in the discharge of their duties as a member of 
the Board. 
(c) GENERAL TRUSTEES.— 
(1) NUMBER AND SELECTION.—The number of general trustees shall 
be fixed by the Board and shall be chosen by the members of the National 
Trust from its members at any regular meeting of the National Trust. 
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(2) TERM OF OFFICE.—The respective terms of office of the general 
trustees shall be as prescribed by the Board but in no case shall exceed 
a period of 5 years from the date of election. 
(3) SUCCESSOR.—A successor to a general trustee shall be chosen in 
the same manner and shall have a term expiring 5 years from the date 
of the expiration of the term for which the predecessor was chosen, except 
that a successor chosen to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration 
of a term shall be chosen only for the remainder of that term. 
(d) CHAIRMAN.—The chairman of the Board shall be elected by a majority 
vote of the members of the Board. 
(e) COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.—No compensation shall be paid 
to the members of the Board for their services as such members, but they shall 
be reimbursed for travel and actual expenses necessarily incurred by them in 
attending board meetings and performing other official duties on behalf of the 
National Trust at the direction of the Board. 
§ 312105. Powers 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To the extent necessary to enable it to carry out the 
functions vested in it by this chapter, the National Trust has the general pow-
ers described in this section. 
(b) SUCCESSION.—The National Trust has succession until dissolved by Act 
of Congress, in which event title to the property of the National Trust, both 
real and personal, shall, insofar as consistent with existing contractual obliga-
tions and subject to all other legally enforceable claims or demands by or 
against the National Trust, pass to and become vested in the United States. 
(c) SUE AND BE SUED.—The National Trust may sue and be sued in its 
corporate name. 
(d) CORPORATE SEAL.—The National Trust may adopt, alter, and use a 
corporate seal that shall be judicially noticed. 
(e) CONSTITUTION, BYLAWS, AND REGULATIONS.—The National Trust may 
adopt a constitution and prescribe such bylaws and regulations, not incon-
sistent with the laws of the United States or of any State, as it considers nec-
essary for the administration of its functions under this chapter, including 
among other matters, bylaws and regulations governing visitation to historic 
properties, administration of corporate funds, and the organization and pro-
cedure of the Board. 
(f) PERSONAL PROPERTY—The National Trust may accept, hold, and ad-
minister gifts and bequests of money, securities, or other personal property 
of any character, absolutely or in trust, for the purposes for which the Na-
tional Trust is created. Unless otherwise restricted by the terms of a gift or 
bequest, the National Trust may sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, and 
invest or reinvest in investments as it may determine from time to time, the 
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185 
moneys, securities, or other property given or bequeathed to it. The principal 
of corporate funds and the income from those funds and all other revenues 
received by the National Trust from any source shall be placed in such deposi-
tories as the National Trust shall determine and shall be subject to expendi-
ture by the National Trust for its corporate purposes. 
(g) REAL PROPERTY.—The National Trust may acquire by gift, devise, 
purchase, or otherwise, absolutely or in trust, and hold and, unless otherwise 
restricted by the terms of the gift or devise, encumber, convey, or otherwise 
dispose of, any real property, or any estate or interest in real property (ex-
cept property within the exterior boundaries of a System unit), as may be 
necessary and proper in carrying into effect the purposes of the National 
Trust. 
(h) CONTRACTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS RESPECTING PROTEC-
TION, PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE, OR OPERATION.—The National Trust 
may contract and make cooperative agreements with Federal, State, or local 
agencies, corporations, associations, or individuals, under terms and condi-
tions that the National Trust considers advisable, respecting the protection, 
preservation, maintenance, or operation of any historic site, building, object, 
or property used in connection with the site, building, object, or property for 
public use, regardless of whether the National Trust has acquired title to the 
property, or any interest in the property. 
(i) ENTER INTO CONTRACTS AND EXECUTE INSTRUMENTS.—The National 
Trust may enter into contracts generally and execute all instruments nec-
essary or appropriate to carry out its corporate purposes, including conces-
sion contracts, leases, or permits for the use of land, buildings, or other prop-
erty considered desirable either to accommodate the public or to facilitate ad-
ministration. 
(j) OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES.—The National Trust may ap-
point and prescribe the duties of officers, agents, and employees as may be 
necessary to carry out its functions, and fix and pay compensation to them 
for their services as the National Trust may determine. 
(k) LAWFUL ACTS.—The National Trust may generally do any and all 
lawful acts necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes for which the 
National Trust is created. 
§ 312106. Consultation with National Park System Advisory 
Board 
In carrying out its functions under this chapter, the National Trust may 
consult with the National Park System Advisory Board on matters relating 
to the selection of sites, buildings, and objects to be preserved and protected 
pursuant to this chapter. 
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186 
Chapter 3123—Commission for the 
Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad 
Sec. 
312301.
Definition. 
312302.
Declaration of national interest. 
312303.
Establishment. 
312304.
Duties and powers; administrative support. 
312305.
Reports. 
§ 312301. Definition 
In this chapter, the term ‘‘Commission’’ means the Commission for the 
Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad established under section 312303 
of this title. 
§ 312302. Declaration of national interest 
Because the fabric of a society is strengthened by visible reminders of the 
historical roots of the society, it is in the national interest to encourage the 
preservation and protection of the cemeteries, monuments, and historic build-
ings associated with the foreign heritage of United States citizens. 
§ 312303. Establishment 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a commission to be known as 
the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall consist of 21 members appointed 
by the President, 7 of whom shall be appointed after consultation with the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives and 7 of whom shall be appointed 
after consultation with the President pro tempore of the Senate. 
(c) TERM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), a member of 
the Commission shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. 
(2) VACANCY.—A member appointed to fill a vacancy on the Commis-
sion shall serve for the remainder of the term for which the member’s 
predecessor was appointed. 
(3) MEMBER UNTIL SUCCESSOR APPOINTED.—A member may retain 
membership on the Commission until the member’s successor has been 
appointed. 
(d) CHAIRMAN.—The President shall designate the Chairman of the Com-
mission from among its members. 
(e) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at least once every 6 months. 
(f) COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES.— 
(1) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Commission shall receive no pay 
on account of their service on the Commission. 
(2) EXPENSES.—While away from their homes or regular places of 
business in the performance of services for the Commission, members of 
the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as individuals employed inter-
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