I
104TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3631
To provide for the recognition and designation of the official society to
administer and coordinate the United States of America activities to
commemorate and celebrate the achievements of the second millennium,
and promote even greater achievements in the millennium to come by
endowing an international cross-cultural scholarship fund to further the
development and education of the world’s future leaders.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 12, 1996
Mr. DAVIS (for himself, Mr. MORAN, Mr. BATEMAN, Mr. PICKETT, Mr. BOU-
CHER, Mr. SISISKY, Mr. PAYNE of Virginia, Mr. DUNCAN, Mr. FROST,
Mr. FAZIO of California, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. WOLF, Mr. WILSON,
Mr. WHITFIELD, Mr. STEARNS, Mr. SCOTT, Mr. ROEMER, Mr. MOOR-
HEAD, Mr. MONTGOMERY, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. MANTON, Mr. LANTOS, Mr.
CONYERS, Mr. COSTELLO, Mr. GEJDENSON, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. BEREU-
TER, and Mr. BILIRAKIS) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and in
addition to the Committees on International Relations, and Banking and
Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To provide for the recognition and designation of the official
society to administer and coordinate the United States
of America activities to commemorate and celebrate the
achievements of the second millennium, and promote
even greater achievements in the millennium to come
by endowing an international cross-cultural scholarship
fund to further the development and education of the
world’s future leaders.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Millennium Society Act
of 1996’’.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act:
(1) SOCIETY.—The term ‘‘Society’’ means The
Millennium Society recognized under section 103.
(2) MILLENNIUM
SCHOLARS
PROGRAM.—The
term ‘‘Millennium Scholars Program’’ means the
international scholarship program established, en-
dowed, and administered by the Society as described
in section 105(6).
TITLE I—RECOGNITION OF THE
MILLENNIUM SOCIETY
SEC. 101. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) the advent of the third millennium on Janu-
ary 1, 2000, provides the citizens of the United
States an opportunity to celebrate the achievements
of civilization to date and to promote even greater
achievements in the millennium to come;
(2) as this Nation approaches the third millen-
nium, it is fitting and proper that the citizens of the
United States join the citizens from other nations
around the world in the international celebration of
the new millennium in a manner which encourages
freedom and international peace and understanding;
(3) the advent of the third millennium offers
opportunity to bring together young women and men
of excellence from throughout the world, without dis-
tinction as to race, sex, language, or religion, in a
manner which will foster international fellowship and
free and open discourse between all peoples on an
unofficial and nongovernmental basis; and
(4) it is appropriate and desirable, therefore, to
designate the Millennium Society to coordinate ac-
tivities in the United States that celebrate the sec-
ond millennium and the achievements of civilization
through the second millennium and to promote even
greater achievements in the third millennium, to co-
ordinate those activities with international efforts,
and to endow and administer a private scholarship
program to prepare young leaders from around the
world for the future millennium.
SEC. 102. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this title are as follows:
change and communication, and other such chari-
table purposes.
(4) To sponsor educational conferences, chari-
table fundraisers, and other charitable activities in-
cluding sponsorship of the World Millennium Char-
ity Ball, an international gathering of diverse young
leaders from all continents of the world on Decem-
ber 31, 1999, to celebrate the dawn of the third mil-
lennium.
(5) To provide for a Millennium Scholars Pro-
gram, an international cross-cultural scholarship
program, for preparing young leaders from around
the world for even greater achievements in the next
millennium by furthering their education, leadership
abilities, cultural understanding, and dedication to
peace.
SEC. 103. RECOGNITION OF THE MILLENNIUM SOCIETY.
(a) RECOGNITION.—The following organizations are
recognized as ‘‘The Millennium Society’’:
(1) The Millennium Society, a nonprofit cor-
poration of the United States chartered and orga-
nized under the laws of the State of Illinois on No-
vember 21, 1983, and operated exclusively for chari-
table and educational purposes within the meaning
of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, including its members and directors.
(2) Any other organization that is organized
and operated by the corporation referred to in para-
graph (1) and is operated exclusively for charitable
and educational purposes within the meaning of sec-
tion 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.
(b) OFFICES.—The Society shall maintain its prin-
cipal offices and national headquarters in such place in
the United States as is determined by the Society, and
may hold its annual and special meetings in such places
as the Society shall determine.
SEC. 104. CONFORMANCE OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORA-
TION AND BYLAWS.
The board of directors of the Society shall take such
actions as are necessary to conform the articles of incorpo-
ration and bylaws of the Society to the provisions of this
Act.
SEC. 105. OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF THE SOCIETY.
The objects and purposes of the Society are recog-
nized as being the following:
(1) To establish national goals for commemora-
tion and celebration of the millennium in the United
States and participation by the United States in
such international events.
(2) To promote and support official celebrations
of the millennium in the United States and to co-
ordinate those celebrations with international com-
memorations and celebrations of the millennium.
(3) To exercise exclusive jurisdiction, either di-
rectly or through its constituent members or organs,
over all matters pertaining to the participation of
the United States in commemorations or celebra-
tions of the millennium.
(4) To assist organizations and persons con-
cerned with the millennium in commemorations or
celebrations of the millennium.
(5) To coordinate activities and hold forums
and symposiums to promote educational and cross-
cultural exchange.
(6) To establish, endow, and administer the
Millennium Scholars Program, an international
scholarship program that provides for university
level exchange for exceptional young women and men
from all regions of the world and all pursuits who
have proven leadership abilities, true academic supe-
riority, and a demonstrated desire to further inter-
national understanding in order to better prepare
those young leaders for greater achievements in the
next millennium by furthering their education, lead-
ership abilities, cultural understanding, and dedica-
tion to freedom and peace.
SEC. 106. POWERS OF THE SOCIETY.
The Society has perpetual succession and the follow-
ing powers:
(1) To adopt and amend articles of incorpora-
tion and bylaws for the management of its property
and the regulation of its affairs, not inconsistent
with the laws of the United States of America or
any State in which the corporation is to operate.
(2) To adopt, alter, and use a corporate seal.
(3) To choose officers, managers, and agents as
the business of the Society may require.
(4) To approve and revoke membership in the
Society.
(5) To charge and collect membership dues.
(6) To determine the criteria for and establish
subsidiary organs and chapters as may be necessary
to the purposes of the Society.
(7) To sue and be sued, complain, and defend
in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(8) To make contracts.
(9) To establish and maintain offices for the
conduct of the affairs of the Society.
(10) To acquire, hold, and dispose of real and
personal property as may be necessary for the pur-
poses of the Society.
(11) To accept gifts, legacies, and devises in
furtherance of its Society purposes.
(12) To borrow money to carry out the pur-
poses of the Society, including to issue notes, bonds,
or other evidences of indebtedness, and to secure the
same by mortgage, subject in each case to the laws
of the United States or of any State.
(13) To provide financial assistance to any or-
ganization or association, other than a corporation
organized for profit, in furtherance of the purposes
of the Society.
(14) To conduct campaigns for raising funds
and to accept contributions from individuals, cor-
porations, and other bodies, foundations, and organi-
zations.
(15) To print, create, and distribute commemo-
rative coins and medals, edit and publish, make, dis-
play, and sell books and magazines, pictures, slides,
compact discs, videos, cinemas and other commemo-
rative items, as may be necessary or desirable for
the accomplishment of the purposes of the Society.
(16) To buy, sell, and generally deal in appro-
priate and related souvenirs, commemorative coins,
medals, curios, mementos, and publications.
(17) To publish a newsletter, magazine, book,
or other publication and exclusively produce and
broadcast on radio, television, film and other media
consistent with Society purposes.
(18) To participate in the production of an
international celebration and sanction related events
within the United States of America.
(19) To do any and all acts and things nec-
essary and proper to carry out the purposes of the
Society.
SEC. 107. NONPOLITICAL NATURE OF SOCIETY.
The Society shall be nonpolitical and nonpartisan
and, as an organization, shall not promote the candidacy
of any person seeking public office.
SEC. 108. MEMBERSHIP.
Eligibility for membership in the Society and the
rights and privileges of members shall, except as provided
in this chapter, be determined as the articles of incorpora-
tion and bylaws of the Society may provide.
SEC. 109. ACTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
(a) COMPOSITION AND CHAIRMAN.—The control and
management of the affairs and funds of the Society shall
be vested in a board of directors as provided in the articles
of incorporation of the Society.
(b) TERMS.—The term of each of the members of the
board of directors shall be as provided in the articles of
incorporation or bylaws of the society. The Board shall
elect a permanent board of directors on or before January
1, 2001, to administer the Millennium Scholars Program.
(c) MEETINGS.—The board of directors shall meet
not less than twice annually, and at such other times as
may be determined in the manner provided in the articles
of incorporation or bylaws of the Society. No meeting of
the board of directors may be held except at a time and
place stated in the bylaws or in a written notice that is
transmitted to each member at the time and in the man-
ner provided in the bylaws.
(d) ELECTION AND REMOVAL.—Directors of the So-
ciety shall be elected at the times and in the manner pro-
vided by the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the
Society and may be removed from office in the manner
provided by the articles of incorporation and bylaws.
SEC. 110. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.
(a) AUTHORIZED POSITIONS.—The officers of the So-
ciety shall be those provided in the articles of incorpora-
tion and bylaws of the Society. The board of directors may
modify the composition of the offices of the Society as the
board considers appropriate.
(b) PRIVILEGES.—Subject to the provisions of this
Act and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the
Society, the privileges of the Society’s officers shall be
those prescribed by the board of directors of the Society.
(c) COMPENSATION.—Officers may receive compensa-
tion or other remuneration for their services as determined
by the board of directors. An officer may be reimbursed
for the expenses that the officer incurs in the performance
of the duties of the office.
(d) ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE.—Officers of
the Society shall be elected annually by action of the board
of directors and shall continue in office at the pleasure
of the board.
(e) DUTIES.—The duties of the officers of the Society
shall be such as usually pertain to the offices they hold
and shall also include such additional duties as may be
delegated by the board of directors.
(f) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AND OTHER PERSON-
NEL.—The board of directors may employ an executive di-
rector and such other paid employees as may be necessary
to assist the officers and the board and to carry out the
programs and business of the Society. The executive direc-
tor and the other employees shall serve at the pleasure
of the board of directors. The board shall fix the com-
pensation and prescribe the duties of the executive director
and such other paid employees.
SEC. 111. PROHIBITION ON DISTRIBUTIONS OF INCOME OR
ASSETS AND ON LOANS TO MEMBERS.
(a) INCOME AND ASSETS.—Except as provided in
section 110(c), no part of the income or assets of the Soci-
ety shall inure to any of its members, trustees, or officers,
or be distributable to any of them during the life of the
Society or upon its dissolution or final liquidation.
(b) LOANS.—The Society may not make loans to offi-
cers, directors, or employees. Any director who votes for
or assents to the making of a loan or advance to an officer,
director, or employee of the Society, and any officer who
participates in the making of such loan or advance shall
be jointly and severally liable to the Society for the amount
of such loan or advance until the repayment thereof.
SEC. 112. LIABILITY FOR ACTS OF OFFICERS AND AGENTS.
The Society shall be liable for the acts of its officers
and agents when acting within the scope of their author-
ity.
SEC. 113. PROHIBITION AGAINST ISSUANCE OF STOCK OR
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS.
The Society shall have no power to issue capital stock
or to declare or pay any dividends.
SEC. 114. SYMBOLS, EMBLEMS, TRADEMARKS, AND NAMES.
(a) EXCLUSIVE RIGHT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the preexisting
rights described in subsection (b), the Society shall
have the sole and exclusive right to use the name
‘‘The Millennium Society’’ and to have and use in
carrying out its purpose trademarks, symbols, insig-
nia, emblems, seals, descriptive or designating
marks, and slogans as may be required in the fur-
therance of its functions, including ‘‘Countdown
2000’’, ‘‘How to do something great for civilization
and have a ball doing it’’, ‘‘Millennium Scholars Pro-
gram’’, ‘‘Millennium Scholar’’, ‘‘Millennium Schol-
ars’’, ‘‘Dollars for Scholars’’, and ‘‘Millennium
Minute’’ and other such proprietary items as may be
identified.
(2) AUTHORIZED USE BY OTHERS.—The Soci-
ety may authorize contributors and suppliers of
goods or services to use the trade name of the Soci-
ety as well as any trademarks, symbols, insignia,
emblems, seals, descriptive or designating marks,
and slogans of the Society in advertising that the
contributions, goods, or services were donated, sup-
plied, or furnished to or for the use of, approved, se-
lected, or used by the Society.
(b) UNAUTHORIZED USE.—
(1) REMEDIES.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), any person who, without the consent of
the Society, uses for the purpose of trade, to induce
the sale of any goods or services, or to promote any
theatrical exhibition, performance, or competition
any trademark, symbol, insignia, emblem, seal, de-
scriptive or designating mark, or slogan described in
subsection (a)(1) shall be subject to suit in a civil
action by the Society for the remedies provided in
the Act of July 5, 1946 (60 Stat. 427; 15 U.S.C.
1051 et seq.; popularly known as the Trademark Act
of 1946).
(2) EXCEPTIONS.—Any person who actually
used the trademark, symbol, insignia, emblem, seal,
descriptive or designating mark, or slogan described
in subsection (a)(1) for any lawful purpose before
the date of the enactment of this Act is not prohib-
ited by this section from continuing such lawful use
for the same purpose and for the same goods or
services. In addition, any person who used, or whose
assignor used, any other trademark, symbol, insig-
nia, emblem, seal, descriptive or designating mark,
or slogan described in subsection (a)(1) for any law-
ful purpose prior to such date is not prohibited by
this section from continuing such lawful use for the
same purpose and for the same goods and services.
SEC. 115. AGENTS FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS.
As a condition precedent to the exercise of any power
or privilege granted or conferred under this title, the Soci-
ety shall file in the office of the Secretary of State, or
similar office, in each State the name and post office ad-
dress of an authorized agent of the Society in such State
upon whom local process or demands against the Society
may be served.
SEC. 116. BOOKS AND RECORDS.
The Society shall keep correct and complete books
and records of account and shall keep minutes of the pro-
ceedings of its members, board of directors, and commit-
tees having any authority under the board of directors,
and it shall also keep at its principal office a record of
the names and addresses of its members entitled to vote.
All books and records of the corporation may be inspected
by any member entitled to vote, or the agent or attorney
of such member, for any proper purpose, at any reason-
able time.
SEC. 117. AUDIT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
(a) AUDITS.—Section 1 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
the following:
‘‘(77) The Millennium Society.’’.
(b) USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS.—Section 451 of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (40 U.S.C. 193m–
1) applies to the Society in accordance with the provisions
of such section.
SEC. 118. USE OF ASSETS UPON DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDA-
TION.
Upon dissolution or final liquidation of the Society,
after discharge or satisfaction of all outstanding obliga-
tions and liabilities, any remaining assets of the Society
shall be distributed in accordance with the determination
of the board of directors of the Society and in compliance
with the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Society
and all Federal and State laws applicable thereto.
SEC. 119. RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND OR REPEAL
CHAPTER.
The right to alter, amend, or repeal this title at any
time is hereby expressly reserved.