A bill to grant a Federal charter to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.
PL 99-119 (H.R.1042), enacted 10/07/1985

99 STAT. 498 
PUBLIC LAW 99-119—OCT. 7, 1985 
Public Law 99-119 
99th Congress 
An Act 
Oct. 7, 1985 
[H.R. 1042] 
To grant a Federal charter to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. 
Corporation. 
SECTION 1. CHARTER. 
36 use 3601. 
The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, a nonprofit corporation 
organized under the laws of the State of Missouri, is recognized as 
such and is granted a Federal charter. 
36 u s e 3602. 
SEC. 2. POWERS. 
The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association (hereinafter in this Act 
referred to as the "corporation") shall have those powers granted to 
it through its bylaws and articles of incorporation filed in the State 
in which it is incorporated and subject to the laws of such State, and 
such powers shall include the following: 
(1) To sue and be sued, complain, and defend in any court of 
competent jurisdiction. 
(2) To adopt, alter, and use a corporate seal. 
(3) To take gifts, legacies, and devises which will further the 
corporate purposes. 
(4) To adopt, alter, and amend a constitution and bylaws, not 
inconsistent with the laws of the United States or any State in 
which the corporation is to operate, for the management of its 
property and the regulation of its affairs. 
(5) To charge and collect membership dues and subscription 
fees and to receive contributions or grants of money or property 
to be used to carry out its purposes. 
(6) To establish, regulate, and maintain offices for the conduct 
of the affairs of the corporation. 
(7) To promote the formation of auxiliaries, the membership 
requirements of which shall be determined according to the 
constitution and the bylaws of the corporation. 
(8) To publish a magazine or other publications. 
(9) To adopt emblems and badges. 
(10) To do any and all lawful acts and things necessary or 
desirable to carry out the objects and purposes of the 
corporation. 
36 u s e 3603. 
SEC. 3. OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF CORPORATION. 
The objects and purposes of the corporation are those provided in 
its articles of incorporation and shall include the following: 
(1) To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United 
States. 
(2) To collate, preserve, and encourage the study of historical 
episodes, chronicles, mementos, and events pertaining to "The 
Day of Infamy, 7 December 1941", and in particular those 
memories and records of patriotic service performed by the 
heroic Pearl Harbor survivors and nonsurvivors. 
PUBLIC LAW 99-119—OCT. 7, 1985 
99 STAT. 499 
(3) To shield from neglect the graves, past and future, of those 
who served at Pearl Harbor on such day. 
(4) To stimulate communities and political subdivisions into 
taking more interest in the affairs and future of the United 
States in order to keep our Nation alert. 
(5) To fight unceasingly for our national security in order to 
protect the United States from enemies within and without our 
borders. 
(6) To preserve the American way of life and to foster the 
spirit and practice of Americanism. 
(7) To instill love of country and flag and to promote sound-
ness of mind and body in the youth of our Nation. 
SEC. 4. SERVICE OF PROCESS. 
36 USC 3604. 
With respect to service of process, the corporation shall comply 
with the laws of the State in which it is incorporated and those 
States in which it carries on its activities in furtherance of its 
corporate purposes. 
SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP. 
Discrimination, 
Eligibility for membership in the corporation and the rights and 
se usc 3605. 
privileges of members of the corporation shall be as provided in the 
constitution and bylaws of the corporation, except that terms of 
membership and requirements for holding office within the corpora-
tion shall not be discriminatory on the basis of race, color, religion, 
or national origin. 
SEC. 6. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 
36 USC 3606. 
The composition of the board of directors of the corporation and 
the responsibilities of such board shall be as provided in the articles 
of incorporation of the corporation and in conformity with the laws 
of the State in which it is incorporated. 
SEC. 7. OFFICERS OF CORPORATION. 
36 USC 3607. 
The positions of officers of the corporation and the election of 
members to such positions shall be as provided in the articles of 
incorporation of the corporation and in conformity with the laws 
of the State in which it is incorporated. 
SEC. 8. RESTRICTIONS ON CORPORATE POWER. 
36 USC 3608. 
(a) DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME OR ASSETS TO MEMBERS OR OFFICERS OF 
THE CORPORATION.—No part of the income or assets of the corpora-
tion shall inure to any member, officer, or director of the corpora-
tion or be distributed to any such person during the life of the 
corporation or upon its dissolution or final liquidation. Nothing in 
this subsection shall be construed to prevent the payment of com-
pensation to the officers of the corporation for services rendered to 
the corporation or to prevent their reimbursement for actual nec-
essary expenses in amounts approved by the board of directors. 
(b) LOANS OR ADVANCES.—The corporation shall have no power to 
make loans or advances to any member, officer, director, or 
employee of the corporation. 
(c) ISSUANCE OF STOCK OR PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS.—The corpora-
tion shall have no power to issue any shares of stock or to declare or 
pay any dividends. 
(d) NoNPOLiTicAL NATURE OF THE CORPORATION.—The corporation 
and its officers, employees, and agents acting as such shall have no 
99 STAT. 500 
PUBLIC LAW 99-119—OCT. 7, 1985 
power to contribute to, support, or otherwise participate in any 
political activity or in any manner attempt to influence legislation. 
Prohibition. 
(e) APPROVAL OF THE CONGRESS OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.— 
The corporation shall have no power to claim congressional 
approval or Federal Government authority for any of its activities. 
36 use 3609. 
SEC. 9. LIABILITY. 
The corporation shall be liable for the acts of its officers and 
agents when they have acted within the scope of their authority. 
36 use 3610. 
SEC. 10. BOOKS AND RECORDS; INSPECTION. 
The corporation shall keep correct and complete books and 
records of accounts and shall keep minutes of any proceeding involv-
ing 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 in any proceeding of the corpora-
tion. All books and records of the corporation may be inspected by 
any member, or any agent or attorney of such member, for any 
proper purpose, at any reasonable time. 
SEC. 11. AUDIT OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS. 
The first section of the Act entitled "An Act to provide for audit of 
accounts of private corporations established under Federal law.", 
78 Stat. 635. 
approved August 30, 1964 (78 Stat. 636; 36 U.S.C. 1101), is amended 
by adding at the end thereof the following: 
"(69) Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.". 
36 use 3611. 
SEC. 12. ANNUAL REPORT. 
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 as the 
report of the audit of the corporation required pursuant to section 2 
of the Act entitled "An Act to provide for audit of accounts of 
private corporations established under Federal law.", approved 
August 30,1964 (78 Stat. 636; 36 U.S.C. 1102). The report shall not be 
printed as a public document. 
36 use 3612. 
SEC. 13. RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND OR REPEAL CHARTER. 
The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly reserved 
to the Congress. 
36 use 3613. 
SEC. 14. DEFINITION OF "STATE". 
For purposes of this Act, the term "State" includes the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories and possessions 
of the United States. 
36 use 3614. 
SEC. 15. TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. 
The corporation shall maintain its status as an organization 
exempt from taxation as provided in the Internal Revenue Code of 
26 use 1 et seq. 
1954. 
PUBLIC LAW 99-119—OCT. 7, 1985 
99 STAT. 501 
SEC. 16. EXCLUSIVE USE OF CORPORATE NAME. 
36 USC 3615. 
The corporation and its regional districts and local branches shall 
have the sole and exclusive right to use in carrying out its purposes 
the name "Pearl Harbor Survivors Association", and such seals, 
emblems, and badges as the corporation may adopt. 
SEC. 17. TERMINATION. 
36 USC 3616. 
If the corporation shall fail to comply with any of the restrictions 
or provisions of this Act, the charter granted by this Act shall 
expire. 
Approved October 7, 1985. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1042: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 99-71 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
SENATE REPORT No. 99-103 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 131 (1985): 
May 13, considered and passed House. 
July 18, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Sept. 20, House concurred in Senate amendments.