An Act to grant the consent of the Congress to the acceptance of certain gifts and decorations from foreign governments, and for other purposes
PL 89-673 (S.2463), enacted 10/15/1966

952 
PUBLIC LAW 89-673-OCT. 15, 1966 
[80 
STAT. 
October 15, 1966 
[S. 2463] 
Public Law 89-673 
AN ACT 
To grant the consent of the Congress to the acceptance of certain gifts and dec-
orations from foreign governments, and for other purposes. 
Foreign Gifts 
and Decorations 
Act of 1966. 
Definitions. 
Gifts of minimal 
value. 
Decorations. 
Gifts or decora-
tions on deposit 
with State Depart-
ment. 
Rules and regu-
lations. 
Repeals. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate cmd House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may 
be cited as the "Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act of 1966". 
SEC. 2. In this Act— 
(1) The term "person" includes every person who occupies an 
office or a position in the Government oi the United States, its 
territories and possessions, the Canal Zone government, and the 
government of the District of Columbia, or is a member of the 
Armed Forces of the United States, or a member of the family and 
household of any such person. 
(2) The term "foreign government" includes every foreign 
government and every official, agent, or representative thereof. 
(3) The term "gift" includes any present or thing, other than 
a decoration, tendered by or received from a foreign government. 
(4) The term "decoration" includes any order, device, medal, 
badge, insignia, or emblem tendered by or received from a foreign 
government. 
SEC. 3. No person shall request or otherwise encourage the tender 
of a gift or decoration. 
SEC. 4. Congress hereby gives its consent to a person to accept and 
retain a gift of minimal value tendered or received as a souvenir or 
mark of courtesy. 
A gift of more than minimal value may also be 
accepted by a person when it appears that to refuse the gift would 
be likely to cause offense or embarrassment or otherwise adversely 
affect the foreign relations of the United States; however, gifts of 
more than minimal value shall be deemed to have been accepted on 
behalf of the United States and shall be deposited by the donee for 
use and disposal as the property of the United States in accordance 
with the rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Act. 
SEC. 5. Congress hereby gives its consent to a person to accept, re-
tain, and wear a decoration which has been tendered in recognition of 
active field service in time of combat operations or which has been 
awarded for other outstanding or unusually meritorious performance, 
subject to the approval of the department, agency, office, or other entity 
in which such person is employed and the concurrence of the Secretary 
of State. In the absence of such approval and concurrence, the decora-
tion shall be deposited by the donee for use and disposal as the property 
of the United States in accordance with the rules and regulations 
issued pursuant to this Act. 
SEC. 6. Any gift or decoration on deposit with the Department of 
State on the date of enactment of this Act shall, when approved by the 
Secretary of State and the appropriate department, agency, office, or 
other entity, be released to the donee or his legal representative. Such 
donee may, if authorized, be entitled to wear any decoration so ap-
proved. A gift or decoration not approved for release, because of any 
special or unusual circumstances involved, shall be deemed a gift to 
the United States and shall be deposited by the donee in accordance 
with the rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Act. 
SEC. 7. Rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act 
may be prescribed by or under the authority of the President. 
SEO. 8. (1) Sections 2 and 3 of the Act of January 31,1881 (21 Stat. 
604; 5 U.S.C. 114, 115), are repealed. 
80 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 89-674-OCT. 15, 1966 
953 
(2) Section 2 of the Act of June 27,1934 (48 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. 
115a), is repealed. 
(3) Section 1002 of the Foreign SeiTice Act of 1946, as amended (60 
Stat. 1030; 22 U.S.C. 804), is further amended by deleting the first 
sentence and by striking out "however," in the second sentence. 
Approved October 15, 1966. 
Public Law 89-674 
A N A C T 
October 15, 1966 
Relating to the National Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. 
f
^
- i3io] 
National Mu-
seum Act of 1966. 
Whereas the museums of the Nation constitute cultural and educa-
tional institutions of great importance to the Nation's progress; 
and 
Whereas national recognition is necessary to insure that museum 
resources for preserving and interpreting the Nation's heritage may 
be more fully utilized in the enrichment of public life in the indi-
vidual community: Now, therefore, 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Reiwesentatlves 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be 
cited as the "National Museum Act of 1966". 
""nutieVof direc 
SEC. 2. (a) The Director of the National Museum under the direction t""--
of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution shall— 
(1) cooperate with museums and their professional organiza-
tions in a continuing study of museum problems and opportuni-
ties, both in the United States and abroad; 
(2) prepare and carry out programs for training career em-
ployees in museum practices in cooperation with museums and 
their professional organizations, wheresoever these may best be 
conducted; 
(3) prepare and distribute significant museum publications; 
(4) perform research on, and otherwise contribute to, the 
development of museum techniques; 
(5) cooperate with departments and agencies of the Govern-
ment of the United States operating, assisting, or otherwise con-
cerned with museums; and 
(6) report annually to the Congress on progress in these activi- congre°ss.*° 
ties. 
(b) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act, not 
Appropriation 
to exceed, ,$200,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1968, $250,000 
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969, $250,000 for the fiscal year 
ending June 30, 1970, and $300,000 for the fiscal year ending June 
30, 1971, and in each subsequent fiscal year, only such sums may be 
appropriated as the Congress may hereafter authorize by law. 
SEC. 3. The first paragraph under the heading "National Museum" 
contained in the Act of July 7, 1884 (23 Stat. 214; 20 U.S.C. 65), is 
amended by deleting the following sentence: "And the Director of the 
National Museum is hereby directed to report annually to the Congress 
the progress of the museum during the year and its present condition," 
Approved October 15, 1966.