267
(d) LOANS.—The corporation may not make a loan or advance to an officer
or employee. Members of the board of administration who vote for or assent
to making a loan or advance to an officer or employee, and officers who par-
ticipate in making the loan or advance, are jointly and severally liable to
the corporation for the amount of the loan or advance until it is repaid.
§ 230308. Principal office
The principal office of the corporation shall be in the District of Columbia
or another place decided by the board of administration. However, the activi-
ties of the corporation are not confined to the place where the principal office
is located but may be conducted in the District of Columbia and throughout
the States, territories, and possessions of the United States.
§ 230309. Records and inspection
(a) RECORDS.—The corporation shall keep—
(1) correct and complete records of account; and
(2) minutes of the proceedings of its national convention and board
of administration.
(b) INSPECTION.—A member, or an agent or attorney of the member, may
inspect the records of the corporation for any proper purpose, at any reason-
able time.
§ 230310. Service of process
The corporation shall have a designated agent in the District of Columbia
to receive service of process for the corporation. Notice to or service on the
agent, or mailed to the business address of the agent, is notice to or service
on the corporation.
§ 230311. Liability for acts of officers and agents
The corporation is liable for the acts of its officers and agents acting within
the scope of their authority.
§ 230312. Annual report
Not later than March 1 of each year, the corporation shall submit a report
to Congress on the activities of the corporation during the prior fiscal year.
The report may consist of a report on the proceedings of the national conven-
tion.
§ 230313. Termination of existence and distribution of assets
(a) AUTHORITY TO MAKE CONTINGENT PROVISIONS.—The national con-
vention, by resolution, may declare that the corporate existence will terminate
on the occurrence of a specified event and provide for the disposition of any
property remaining after the discharge of all liabilities.
(b) PROCEDURE FOR CARRYING OUT CONTINGENT PROVISIONS.—(1) An
authenticated copy of the national convention’s resolution must be filed in the
office of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
(2) The court shall take jurisdiction when—
268
(A) the declared event has occurred; and
(B) a petition is filed with the court reciting the relevant facts.
(3) On proof of the facts, the court shall enter an order vesting title and
ownership in accordance with the resolution of the national convention.
CHAPTER 2305—VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, INC.
Sec.
230501.
Definition.
230502.
Organization.
230503.
Purposes.
230504.
Membership.
230505.
Governing body.
230506.
Powers.
230507.
Exclusive right to name, seals, emblems, and badges.
230508.
Restrictions.
230509.
Duty to maintain tax-exempt status.
230510.
Records and inspection.
230511.
Service of process.
230512.
Liability for acts of officers and agents.
230513.
Annual report.
§ 230501. Definition
For purposes of this chapter, ‘‘State’’ includes the District of Columbia and
the territories and possessions of the United States.
§ 230502. Organization
(a) FEDERAL CHARTER.—Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. (in this chap-
ter, the ‘‘corporation’’), a nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York, is
a federally chartered corporation.
(b) EXPIRATION OF CHARTER.—If the corporation does not comply with
any provision of this chapter, the charter granted by this chapter expires.
§ 230503. Purposes
The purposes of the corporation are as provided in its articles of incorpora-
tion, constitution, and bylaws and include a commitment—
(1) to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States;
(2) to foster improvement of the condition of Vietnam-era veterans;
(3) to promote the social welfare (including educational, economic, so-
cial, physical, and cultural improvement) of Vietnam-era veterans and
other veterans in the United States by encouraging their growth, develop-
ment, readjustment, self-respect, self-confidence, and usefulness;
(4) to improve conditions for Vietnam-era veterans and develop chan-
nels of communication to assist Vietnam-era veterans;
(5) to conduct and publish research, on a nonpartisan basis, pertain-
ing to—
(A) the relationship between Vietnam-era veterans and American
society;
(B) the Vietnam war experience;
269
(C) the role of the United States in securing peaceful coexistence
for the world community; and
(D) other matters that affect the educational, economic, social,
physical, or cultural welfare of Vietnam-era veterans, other veterans,
and their families;
(6) to assist disabled Vietnam-era veterans and other veterans in need
of assistance and the dependents and survivors of those veterans; and
(7) to consecrate the efforts of the members of the corporation, and
Vietnam-era veterans generally, to mutual helpfulness and service to
their country.
§ 230504. Membership
(a) ELIGIBILITY.—Except as provided in this chapter, eligibility for mem-
bership in the corporation and the rights and privileges of members are as
provided in the constitution and bylaws of the corporation.
(b) NONDISCRIMINATION.—The terms of membership may not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin.
§ 230505. Governing body
(a) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The board of directors and the responsibilities
of the board are as provided in the constitution and bylaws of the corporation.
(b) OFFICERS.—The officers and the election of officers are as provided in
the constitution and bylaws of the corporation.
(c) NONDISCRIMINATION.—The requirements for serving as a director or of-
ficer may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability,
age, or national origin.
§ 230506. Powers
The corporation has only the powers provided in its articles of incorpora-
tion filed in the State of incorporation and in its constitution and bylaws.
§ 230507. Exclusive right to name, seals, emblems, and
badges
The corporation has the exclusive right to use the names ‘‘The Vietnam Vet-
erans of America, Inc.’’, ‘‘Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.’’, and ‘‘Vietnam
Veterans of America’’, and seals, emblems, and badges the corporation adopts.
This section does not affect any vested rights.
§ 230508. Restrictions
(a) STOCK AND DIVIDENDS.—The corporation may not issue stock or de-
clare or pay a dividend.
(b) DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME OR ASSETS.—The income or assets of the
corporation may not inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, a director,
officer, or member during the life of the charter granted by this chapter. This
subsection does not prevent the payment of reasonable compensation to an of-
270
ficer or reimbursement for actual necessary expenses in amounts approved by
the board of directors.
(c) LOANS.—The corporation may not make a loan to a director, officer,
or employee.
(d) CLAIM OF GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL OR AUTHORITY.—The corpora-
tion may not claim congressional approval or the authority of the United
States Government for any of its activities.
§ 230509. Duty to maintain tax-exempt status
The corporation shall maintain its status as an organization exempt from
taxation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
§ 230510. Records and inspection
(a) RECORDS.—The corporation shall keep—
(1) correct and complete records of account;
(2) minutes of the proceedings of its members, board of directors, and
committees having any of the authority of its board of directors; and
(3) at its principal office, a record of the names and addresses of its
members entitled to vote.
(b) INSPECTION.—A member entitled to vote, or an agent or attorney of the
member, may inspect the records of the corporation for any proper purpose,
at any reasonable time.
§ 230511. Service of process
The corporation shall comply with the law on service of process of each
State in which it is incorporated and each State in which it carries on activi-
ties.
§ 230512. Liability for acts of officers and agents
The corporation is liable for the acts of its officers and agents acting within
the scope of their authority.
§ 230513. Annual report
The corporation shall submit an annual report to Congress on the activities
of the corporation during the prior fiscal year. The report shall be submitted
at the same time as the report of the audit required by section 10101 of this
title. The report may not be printed as a public document.
CHAPTER 2401—WOMEN’S ARMY CORPS VETERANS’
ASSOCIATION
Sec.
240101.
Definition.
240102.
Organization.
240103.
Purposes.
240104.
Membership.
240105.
Governing body.
240106.
Powers.
240107.
Restrictions.
240108.
Duty to maintain tax-exempt status.
240109.
Records and inspection.
271
240110.
Service of process.
240111.
Liability for acts of officers and agents.
240112.
Annual report.
§ 240101. Definition
For purposes of this chapter, ‘‘State’’ includes the District of Columbia and
the territories and possessions of the United States.
§ 240102. Organization
(a) FEDERAL CHARTER.—Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association (in
this chapter, the ‘‘corporation’’), a nonprofit corporation incorporated in the
District of Columbia, is a federally chartered corporation.
(b) EXPIRATION OF CHARTER.—If the corporation does not comply with
any provision of this chapter, the charter granted by this chapter expires.
§ 240103. Purposes
The purposes of the corporation are as provided in its articles of incorpora-
tion and include a continuing commitment on a national basis—
(1) to promote the general welfare of all veterans, especially women
veterans, who have served or are serving in the United States Army, the
Army Reserve, and the Army National Guard;
(2) to recognize outstanding women in college ROTC units throughout
the United States; and
(3) to provide services and support to patients in medical facilities of
the Department of Veterans Affairs throughout the United States.
§ 240104. Membership
Eligibility for membership in the corporation and the rights and privileges
of members are as provided in the constitution and bylaws of the corporation.
§ 240105. Governing body
(a) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The board of directors and the responsibilities
of the board are as provided in the articles of incorporation.
(b) OFFICERS.—The officers and the election of officers are as provided in
the articles of incorporation.
§ 240106. Powers
The corporation has only the powers provided in its bylaws and articles
of incorporation filed in each State in which it is incorporated.
§ 240107. Restrictions
(a) STOCK AND DIVIDENDS.—The corporation may not issue stock or de-
clare or pay a dividend.
(b) POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.—The corporation or a director or officer as
such may not contribute to, support, or otherwise participate in any political
activity or in any manner attempt to influence legislation.
(c) DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME OR ASSETS.—The income or assets of the
corporation may not inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, a director,
272
officer, or member during the life of the charter granted by this chapter. This
subsection does not prevent the payment of reasonable compensation to an of-
ficer or reimbursement for actual necessary expenses in amounts approved by
the board of directors.
(d) LOANS.—The corporation may not make a loan to a director, officer,
or employee.
(e) CLAIM OF GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL OR AUTHORITY.—The corporation
may not claim the approval or the authority of the United States Government
for any of its activities.
§ 240108. Duty to maintain tax-exempt status
The corporation shall maintain its status as an organization exempt from
taxation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
§ 240109. Records and inspection
(a) RECORDS.—The corporation shall keep—
(1) correct and complete records of account;
(2) minutes of the proceedings of its members, board of directors, and
committees having any of the authority of its board of directors; and
(3) at its principal office, a record of the names and addresses of its
members entitled to vote.
(b) INSPECTION.—A member entitled to vote, or an agent or attorney of the
member, may inspect the records of the corporation for any proper purpose,
at any reasonable time.
§ 240110. Service of process
The corporation shall comply with the law on service of process of each
State in which it is incorporated and each State in which it carries on activi-
ties.
§ 240111. Liability for acts of officers and agents
The corporation is liable for the acts of its officers or agents acting within
the scope of their authority.
§ 240112. Annual report
The corporation shall submit an annual report to Congress on the activities
of the corporation during the prior fiscal year. The report shall be submitted
at the same time as the report of the audit required by section 10101 of this
title. The report may not be printed as a public document.
CHAPTER 2501—[RESERVED]
CHAPTER 2601—[RESERVED]
CHAPTER 2701—[RESERVED]
SUBTITLE III—TREATY OBLIGATION
ORGANIZATIONS
CHAPTER
Sec.
3001.
THE AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS ......................................................
300101
273
CHAPTER 3001—THE AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
Sec.
300101.
Organization.
300102.
Purposes.
300103.
Membership and chapters.
300104.
Board of governors.
300105.
Powers.
300106.
Emblem, badge, and brassard.
300107.
Annual meeting.
300108.
Buildings.
300109.
Endowment fund.
300110.
Annual report and audit.
300111.
Reservation of right to amend or repeal.
§ 300101. Organization
(a) FEDERAL CHARTER.—The American National Red Cross (in this chap-
ter, the ‘‘corporation’’) is a body corporate and politic in the District of Co-
lumbia.
(b) NAME.—The name of the corporation is ‘‘The American National Red
Cross’’.
(c) PERPETUAL EXISTENCE.—Except as otherwise provided, the corpora-
tion has perpetual existence.
§ 300102. Purposes
The purposes of the corporation are—
(1) to provide volunteer aid in time of war to the sick and wounded
of the armed forces, in accordance with the spirit and conditions of—
(A) the conference of Geneva of October, 1863;
(B) the treaties of the Red Cross, or the treaties of Geneva, August
22, 1864, July 27, 1929, and August 12, 1949, to which the United
States of America has given its adhesion; and
(C) any other treaty, convention, or protocol similar in purpose
to which the United States of America has given or may give its
adhesion;
(2) in carrying out the purposes described in clause (1) of this section,
to perform all the duties devolved on a national society by each nation
that has acceded to any of those treaties, conventions, or protocols;
(3) to act in matters of voluntary relief and in accordance with the
military authorities as a medium of communication between the people
of the United States and the armed forces of the United States and to
act in those matters between similar national societies of governments of
other countries through the International Committee of the Red Cross
and the Government, the people, and the armed forces of the United
States; and
(4) to carry out a system of national and international relief in time
of peace, and to apply that system in mitigating the suffering caused by
274
pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and
to devise and carry out measures for preventing those calamities.
§ 300103. Membership and chapters
(a) MEMBERSHIP.—Membership in the corporation is open to all the people
of the United States and its territories and possessions, on payment of an
amount specified in the bylaws.
(b) CHAPTERS.—(1) The chapters of the corporation are the local units of
the corporation. The board of governors shall prescribe regulations related
to—
(A) granting charters to the chapters and revoking those charters;
(B) the territorial jurisdiction of the chapters;
(C) the relationship of the chapters to the corporation; and
(D) compliance by the chapters with the policies and regulations of
the corporation.
(2) The regulations shall require that each chapter adhere to the democratic
principles of election specified in the bylaws in electing the governing body
of the chapter and selecting delegates to the national convention of the cor-
poration.
§ 300104. Board of governors
(a) BOARD OF GOVERNORS.—(1) The board of governors is the governing
body of the corporation with all powers of governing and managing the cor-
poration. The board has 50 members. The governors shall be appointed or
elected in the following manner:
(A) The President shall appoint 8 governors, one of whom the Presi-
dent shall designate to act as the principal officer of the corporation with
the title and functions provided in the bylaws. The other governors ap-
pointed by the President shall be officials of departments and agencies
of the United States Government, whose positions and interests qualify
them to contribute to carrying out the programs and purposes of the cor-
poration. At least one, but not more than 3, of those officials shall be
selected from the armed forces.
(B) The chapters shall elect 30 governors at the national convention
under procedures for nomination and election that ensure equitable rep-
resentation of all chapters, with regard to geographical considerations,
the size of the chapters, and the size of the populations served by the
chapters.
(C) The board shall elect 12 governors as members-at-large. Those gov-
ernors shall be individuals who are representative of the national inter-
ests that the corporation serves, and with which it is desirable that the
corporation have close association.
275
(2) One-third of the members elected to the board shall be elected at each
national convention, and take office at that time or as soon as practicable
after the convention.
(b) TERM OF OFFICE AND VACANCIES.—(1) The term of office of each gov-
ernor is 3 years. However, the term of office of a governor appointed by the
President (except the principal officer of the corporation) expires if, before the
end of the 3-year term, the governor retires from the official position held at
the time of appointment as a governor.
(2) The President shall fill as soon as practicable a vacancy in the office
of the principal officer of the corporation or in the position of another gov-
ernor appointed by the President. The board shall make a temporary appoint-
ment to fill a vacancy occurring in an elected position on the board. An indi-
vidual appointed by the board to fill a vacancy serves until the next national
convention.
(c) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.—The board may—
(1) appoint, from its own members, an executive committee of at least
11 individuals to exercise the powers of the board when the board is not
in session; and
(2) appoint and remove, or provide for the appointment and removal
of, officers and employees of the corporation, except the principal officer
of the corporation.
(d) VOTING BY PROXY.—Voting by proxy is not allowed at any meeting
of the board, at the national convention, or at any meeting of a chapter. How-
ever, the board may allow the election of governors by proxy at the national
convention if the board believes a national emergency makes attendance at the
national convention impossible.
§ 300105. Powers
(a) GENERAL.—The corporation may—
(1) adopt bylaws and regulations;
(2) adopt, alter, and destroy a seal;
(3) own and dispose of property to carry out the purposes of the cor-
poration;
(4) accept gifts, devises, and bequests of property to carry out the pur-
poses of the corporation;
(5) sue and be sued in courts of law and equity, State or Federal,
within the jurisdiction of the United States; and
(6) do any other act necessary to carry out this chapter and promote
the purposes of the corporation.
(b) DESIGNATION.—The corporation is designated as the organization au-
thorized to act in matters of relief under the treaties of Geneva, August 22,
1864, July 27, 1929, and August 12, 1949.
276
§ 300106. Emblem, badge, and brassard
(a) EMBLEM AND BADGE.—In carrying out its purposes under this chap-
ter, the corporation may have and use, as an emblem and badge, a Greek red
cross on a white ground, as described in the treaties of Geneva, August 22,
1864, July 27, 1929, and August 12, 1949, and adopted by the nations acced-
ing to those treaties.
(b) DELIVERY OF BRASSARD.—In accordance with those treaties, the deliv-
ery of the brassard allowed for individuals neutralized in time of war shall
be left to military authority.
§ 300107. Annual meeting
The annual meeting of the corporation is the national convention of dele-
gates of the chapters. The national convention shall be held annually on a
date and at a place specified by the board of governors. In matters requiring
a vote at the national convention, each chapter is entitled to at least one vote.
The board shall determine on an equitable basis the number of votes that each
chapter is entitled to cast, taking into consideration the size of the member-
ship of the chapters and of the populations served by the chapters. The board
shall review the allocation of votes at least every 5 years.
§ 300108. Buildings
(a) OWNERSHIP.—The United States Government shall retain ownership of
the corporation’s permanent headquarters, comprised of buildings erected on
square 172 in the District of Columbia, including—
(1) the memorial building to commemorate the service and sacrifice
of the women of the United States, North and South, during the Civil
War, erected for the use of the corporation;
(2) the memorial building to commemorate the service and sacrifice
of the patriotic women of the United States, its territories and posses-
sions, and the District of Columbia during World War I, erected for the
use of the corporation; and
(3) the permanent building erected for the use of the corporation in
connection with its work in cooperation with the Government.
(b) MAINTENANCE AND EXPENSES.—Those buildings shall remain under
the supervision of the Administrator of General Services. However, the cor-
poration shall care for and maintain the buildings without expense to the
Government.
§ 300109. Endowment fund
The endowment fund of the corporation shall be kept and invested under
the management and control of a board of 9 trustees elected by the board of
governors. The board of governors shall prescribe regulations on terms and
tenure of office, accountability, and expenses of the board of trustees.
277
§ 300110. Annual report and audit
(a) SUBMISSION OF REPORT.—As soon as practicable after July 1 of each
year, the corporation shall submit a report to the Secretary of Defense on the
activities of the corporation during the fiscal year ending June 30, including
a complete, itemized report of all receipts and expenditures.
(b) AUDITING OF REPORT AND SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary
shall audit the report and submit a copy of the audited report to Congress.
(c) PAYMENT OF AUDIT EXPENSES.—The corporation shall reimburse the
Secretary each year for auditing its accounts. The amount paid shall be de-
posited in the Treasury of the United States as a miscellaneous receipt.
§ 300111. Reservation of right to amend or repeal
Congress reserves the right to amend or repeal the provisions of this chap-
ter.
SEC. 2. THE FLAG.
(a) Chapter 1 of title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following new sections:
‘‘§ 4. Pledge of allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery
‘‘The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, ‘I pledge allegiance to the Flag of
the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one
Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’, should be ren-
dered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the
heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their
right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the mili-
tary salute.
‘‘§ 5. Display and use of flag by civilians; codification of
rules and customs; definition
‘‘The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the
display and use of the flag of the United States of America is established for
the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be
required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive
departments of the Government of the United States. The flag of the United
States for the purpose of this chapter shall be defined according to sections
1 and 2 of this title and Executive Order 10834 issued pursuant thereto.
‘‘§ 6. Time and occasions for display
‘‘(a) It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sun-
set on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a
patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day
if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
‘‘(b) The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
278
‘‘(c) The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclem-
ent, except when an all weather flag is displayed.
‘‘(d) The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year’s
Day, January 1; Inauguration Day, January 20; Lincoln’s Birthday, Feb-
ruary 12; Washington’s Birthday, third Monday in February; Easter Sunday
(variable); Mother’s Day, second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third
Saturday in May; Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in
May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Mon-
day in September; Constitution Day, September 17; Columbus Day, second
Monday in October; Navy Day, October 27; Veterans Day, November 11;
Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, December
25; and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United
States; the birthdays of States (date of admission); and on State holidays.
‘‘(e) The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration
building of every public institution.
‘‘(f) The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election
days.
‘‘(g) The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every
schoolhouse.
‘‘§ 7. Position and manner of display
‘‘The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should
be either on the marching right; that is, the flag’s own right, or, if there is
a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
‘‘(a) The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from
a staff, or as provided in subsection (i) of this section.
‘‘(b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a
vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a mo-
torcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right
fender.
‘‘(c) No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same
level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during
church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant
may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the
Navy. No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other
national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prom-
inence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place
within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof: Provided,
That nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the prac-
tice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a posi-
tion of superior prominence or honor, and other national flags in positions
279
of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at
the headquarters of the United Nations.
‘‘(d) The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with
another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the
flag’s own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
‘‘(e) The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and
at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities
or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
‘‘(f) When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are
flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should
always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag
of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or
pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United
States flag’s right.
‘‘(g) When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown
from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately
equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation
above that of another nation in time of peace.
‘‘(h) When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting
horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a build-
ing, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the
flag is at half staff. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope
extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should
be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
‘‘(i) When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the
union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observ-
er’s left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the
same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
‘‘(j) When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be
suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street
or to the east in a north and south street.
‘‘(k) When used on a speaker’s platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should
be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in
a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America
should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience,
and in the position of honor at the clergyman’s or speaker’s right as he faces
the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the
clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.
‘‘(l) The flag should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of unveiling
a statue or monument, but it should never be used as the covering for the
statue or monument.
280
‘‘(m) The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak
for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be
again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day
the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the
top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff
upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the
Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their
memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the
flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or
orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent
with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the gov-
ernment of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Gov-
ernor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National
flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty
days from the death of the President or a former President; ten days from
the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief
Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice
President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day
of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be
flown at halfstaff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also
Armed Forces Day. As used in this subsection—
‘‘(1) the term ‘half-staff’ means the position of the flag when it is one-
half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;
‘‘(2) the term ‘executive or military department’ means any agency
listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5; and
‘‘(3) the term ‘Member of Congress’ means a Senator, a Representative,
a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
‘‘(n) When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that
the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be
lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
‘‘(o) When the flag is suspended across a corridor or lobby in a building
with only one main entrance, it should be suspended vertically with the union
of the flag to the observer’s left upon entering. If the building has more than
one main entrance, the flag should be suspended vertically near the center of
the corridor or lobby with the union to the north, when entrances are to the
east and west or to the east when entrances are to the north and south. If
there are entrances in more than two directions, the union should be to the
east.