A bill to recognize the organization known as the Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A.
PL 98-372 (H.R.29), enacted 07/23/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-372—JULY 23, 1984 
98 STAT. 1239 
Public Law 98-372 
98th Congress 
An Act 
To recognize the organization known as the Polish Legion of American Veterans, 
U.S.A. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
July 23, 1984 
[H.R. 29] 
CHARTER 
SECTION 1. The Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.SA., a 
nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of 
Illinois, is hereby recognized as such and is granted a charter. 
Corporation. 
36 u s e 2501. 
POWERS 
SEC. 2. The Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A. (herein-
after 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. 
36 u s e 2502. 
OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF CORPORATION 
SEC. 3. The objects and purposes of the corporation are those 
provided in its articles of incorporation. The corporation shall func-
tion as a veterans' and patriotic organization as authorized by the 
laws of the State or States where it is incorporated. 
36 u s e 2503. 
SERVICE OF PROCESS 
SEC. 4. 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. 
MEMBERSHIP 
SEC. 5. Eligibility for membership in the corporation and the 
rights and privileges of members shall, except as provided in this 
Act, be as provided in the constitution and bylaws of the corpora-
tion, and terms of membership and requirements for holding office 
within the corporation shall not be discriminatory on the basis of 
race, color, religion, or national origin. 
36 u s e 2504. 
Discrimination, 
prohibition. 
36 u s e 2505. 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS; COMPOSITION; RESPONSIBILITIES 
SEC. 6. The board of directors of the corporation and the responsi-
bilities thereof 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. 
36 u s e 2506. 
98 STAT. 1240 
PUBLIC LAW 98-372—JULY 23, 1984 
OFFICERS OF CORPORATION 
36 use 2507. 
SEC. 7. The officers of the corporation, and the election of such 
officers shall be as is provided in the articles of incorporation of the 
corporation and in conformity with the laws of the State or States 
wherein it is incorporated. 
RESTRICTIONS 
36 use 2508. 
SEC. 8. (a) No part of the income or assets of the corporation shall 
inure to any member, officer, or director of the corporation or be 
distributed to any such person during the life of this charter. 
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the pay-
ment of reasonable compensation to the officers of the corporation 
or reimbursement for actual necessary expenses in amounts 
approved by the board of directors. 
(b) The corporation shall not make any loan to any officer, direc-
tor, or employee of 
the corporation. 
(c) The corporation and any officer and director of the corporation, 
acting as sum officer or director, shall not contribute to, support or 
otherwise participate in any political activity or in any manner 
attempt to mfiuence legislation. 
(d) The corporation shall have no power to issue any shares of 
stock nor to declare or pay any dividends. 
(e) The corporation snail not claim congressional approval or 
Federal Government authority for any of its activities. 
LIABILITY 
36 use 2509. 
SEC. 9. The corporation shall be liable for the acts of its officers 
and agents when acting within the scope of their authority. 
BOOKS 
AND 
RECORDS; 
INSPECTION 
36 use 2510. 
SEC. 10. The corporation shall keep correct and complete books 
and records of account and shall keep 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. All books and 
records of such corporation may be inspected by any member having 
the right to vote, 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. 
AUDIT OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS 
SEC. 11. The first section of the Act entitled "An Act to provide for 
audit of accounts of private corporations established under the 
Federal law", approved August 30,1964 (36 U.S.C. 1101), is amended 
by adding at the end thereof the following: 
"(58) Polish Legion of American Veterans, U.S.A.". 
ANNUAL REPORT 
36 use 2511. 
SEC. 12. 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 
PUBLIC LAW 98-372—JULY 23, 1984 
98 STAT. 1241 
as is the report of the audit required by section 11 of this Act. The 
report shall not be printed as a public document. 
RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND OR REPEAL CHARTER 
SEC. 13. The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly Congress, 
reserved to the Congress. 
^^ ^^ ^^^^• 
DEFINITION OF STATE 
SEC. 14. For purposes of this Act, the term "State" includes the 
36 use 2513. 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the 
territories and possessions of the United States. 
TAX EXEMPT STATUS 
SEC. 15. The corporation shall maintain its status as an organiza- 36 use 2514. 
tion exempt from taxation as provided in the Internal Revenue 
Code. If the corporation fails to maintain such status, the charter 2
6 use i et seq. 
granted hereby shall expire. 
SEC. 16. If the corporation shall fail to comply with any of the 36 use 2515. 
restrictions or provisions of this Act, the charter granted hereby 
shall e^ire. 
Approved July 23, 1984. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 29: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 98-489 (eomm. on the Judiciary). 
SENATE REPORT No. 98-525 (Oomm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 129 (1983): Nov. 14, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 130 (1984): June 27, considered and passed Senate.