A bill to clarify without substantive change laws related to Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies, and Organizations and to improve the United States Code.
PL 105-354 (S.2524), enacted 11/03/1998

112 STAT. 3238 
PUBLIC LAW 105-354—NOV. 3, 1998 
Public Law 105-354 
105th Congress 
An Act 
Nov. 3, 1998 
To codify without substantive change laws related to Patriotic and National Observ-
rg 2524] 
ances, Ceremonies, and Organizations and to improve the United States Code. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. TITLE 36, UNITED STATES CODE. 
Title 36, United States Code, is amended as follows: 
(1) In section 902, strike subsections (b) and (c) and sub-
stitute the following: 
"(b) REQUIRED DISPLAY.—The POW/MIA flag shall be displayed 
at the locations specified in subsection (d) of this section on POW/ 
MIA flag display days. The display serves— 
"(1) as the symbol of the Nation's concern and commitment 
to achieving the fullest possible accounting of Americans who, 
having been prisoners of war or missing in action, still remain 
unaccounted for; and 
"(2) as the symbol of the Nation's commitment to achieving 
the fullest possible accounting for Americans who in the future 
may become prisoners of war, missing in action, or otherwise 
unaccounted for as a result of hostile action. 
"(c) DAYS FOR FLAG DISPLAY.—(1) For purposes of this section, 
POW/MIA flag display days are the following: 
"(A) Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May. 
"(B) Memorial Day, the last Monday in May. 
"(C) Flag Day, June 14. 
/ 
"(D) Independence Day, July 4. 
"(E) National POW/MIA Recognition Day. 
"(F) Veterans Day, November 11. 
"(2) In addition to the days specified in paragraph (1) of this 
subsection, POW/MIA flag display days include— 
"(A) in the case of display at medical centers of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs (required by subsection (d)(7) of this 
section), any day on which the flag of the United States is 
displayed; and 
"(B) in the case of display at United States Postal Service 
post offices (required by subsection (d)(8) of this section), the 
last business day before a day specified in paragraph (1) that 
in any year is not itself a business day. 
"(d) LOCATIONS FOR FLAG DISPLAY.—^The locations for the dis-
play of the POW/MIA flag under subsection (b) of this section 
are the following: 
"(1) The Capitol. 
"(2) The White House. 
PUBLIC LAW 105-354—NOV. 3, 1998 
112 STAT. 3239 
"(3) The Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam 
Veterans Memorial. 
"(4) Each national cemetery. 
"(5) The buildings containing the official office of— 
"(A) the Secretary of State; 
"(B) the Secretary of Defense; 
"(C) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and 
"(D) the Director of the Selective Service System. 
"(6) Each major military installation, as designated by the 
Secretary of Defense. 
"(7) Each medical center of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. 
"(8) Each United States Postal Service post office. 
"(e) COORDINATION WITH OTHER DISPLAY REQUIREMENT.—Dis-
play of the POW/MIA flag at the Capitol pursuant to subsection 
(d)(1) of this section is in addition to the display of that flag 
in the Rotunda of the Capitol pursuant to Senate Concurrent Reso-
lution 5 of the 101st Congress, agreed to on February 22, 1989 
(103 Stat. 2533). 
"(f) DISPLAY TO BE IN A MANNER VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.— 
Display of the POW/MIA flag pursuant to this section shall be 
in a manner designed to ensure visibility to the public. 
"(g) LIMITATION.—^This section may not be construed or applied 
so as to require any employee to report to work solely for the 
purpose of providing for the display of the POW/MIA flag.". 
(2) In section 2102(b), strike "designated personnel" and 
substitute "personnel made available to the Commission". 
(3) In section 2501(2), insert "solicit," before "accept,". 
(4)(A) Insert after chapter 201 the following: 
"CHAPTER 202—AIR FORCE SERGEANTS 
ASSOCIATION 
"Sec. 
"20201. Definition. 
"20202. Organization. 
"20203. Purposes. 
"20204. Membership. 
"20205. Governing body. 
"20206. Powers. 
"20207. Restrictions. 
"20208. Duty to maintain corporate and tax-exempt status. 
"20209. Records and inspection. 
"20210. Service of process. 
"20211. Liability for acts of officers and agents. 
"20212. Annual report. 
"§20201. Definition 
"For purposes of this chapter, 'State' includes the District of 
Columbia and the territories and possessions of the United States. 
'*§ 20202. Organization 
"(a) FEDERAL CHARTER.—^Air Force Sergeants 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 com-
ply with any provision of this chapter, the charter granted by 
this chapter expires. 
5»-194 O - 98 - 16: QL 3 Part 5 
112 STAT. 3240 
PUBLIC LAW 105-354—NOV. 3, 1998 
"§20203. Purposes 
"(a) GENERAL.—The purposes of the corporation are as provided 
in its bylaws and articles of incorporation and include— 
"(1) helping to maintain a highly dedicated and professional 
corps of enlisted personnel within the United States Air Force, 
including the United States Air Force Reserve, and the Air 
National Guard; 
"(2) supporting fair and equitable legislation and Depart-
ment of the Air Force policies and influencing by lawful means 
departmental plans, programs, policies, and legislative propos-
als that affect enlisted personnel of the Regular Air Force, 
the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard, its retirees, 
and other veterans of enlisted service in the Air Force; 
"(3) actively publicizing the roles of enlisted personnel in 
the United States Air Force; 
"(4) participating in civil and military activities, youth pro-
grams, and fundraising campaigns that benefit the United 
States Air Force; 
"(5) providing for the mutual welfare of members of the 
corporation and their families; 
"(6) assisting in recruiting for the United States Air Force; 
"(7) assembling together for social activities; 
"(8) maintaining an adequate Air Force for our beloved 
country; 
"(9) fostering among the members of the corporation a 
devotion to fellow airmen; and 
"(10) serving the United States and the United States 
Air Force loyally, and doing all else necessary to uphold and 
defend the Constitution of the United States. 
"(b) CORPORATE FUNCTION.—^The corporation shall function as 
an educational, patriotic, civic, historical, and research organization 
under the laws of the District of Columbia. 
"§ 20204. Membership 
"(a) ELIGIBILITY.—Except as provided in this chapter, eligibility 
for membership in the corporation and the rights and privileges 
of members are as provided in the bylaws and articles of incorpora-
tion. 
"(b) NONDISCRIMINATION.—^The terms of membership may not 
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, 
age, or national origin. 
"§ 20205. Governing body 
"(a) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—^The board of directors and the 
responsibilities of the board are as provided in the bylaws and 
articles of incorporation. 
"(b) OFFICERS.—^The officers and the election of officers are 
as provided in the bylaws and articles of incorporation. 
"(c) NONDISCRIMINATION.—^The requirements for serving as a 
director or ofHcer may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, 
religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin. 
"§ 20206. Powers 
"The corporation has only the powers provided in its bylaws 
and articles of incorporation filed in each State in which it is 
incorporated. 
PUBLIC LAW 105-354—NOV. 3, 1998 
112 STAT. 3241 
"§20207. Restrictions 
"(a) STOCK AND DIVIDENDS.—The corporation may not issue 
stock or declare 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 Hfe of the charter 
granted by this chapter. This subsection does not prevent the pay-
ment of reasonable compensation to an officer or employee 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, employee, or member. 
"(d) CLAIM OF GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL OR AUTHORITY.—^The 
corporation may not claim congressional approval or the authority 
of the United States Government for any of its activities. 
"§20208. Duty to maintain corporate and tax-exempt status 
"(a) CORPORATE STATUS.—^The corporation shall maintain its 
status as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the District 
of Columbia. 
"(b) 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.). 
"§ 20209. 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. 
"§ 20210. 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 activities. 
"§ 20211. 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. 
"§ 20212. 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.". 
(B) In the table of chapters at the beginning of subtitle 
II, insert after the item related to chapter 201: 
"202. AIR FORCE SERGEANTS ASSOCIATION 
20201". 
(5)(A) Insert after chapter 209 the following: 
112 STAT. 3242 
PUBLIC LAW 105-354—NOV. 3, 1998 
"CHAPTER 210—AMERICAN GI FORUM OF THE 
UNITED STATES 
"Sec. 
"21001. 
"21002. 
"21003. 
"21004. 
"21005. 
"21006. 
"21007. 
"21008. 
"21009. 
"21010. 
"21011. 
"21012. 
Definition. 
Organization. 
Purposes. 
Membership. 
Governing body. 
Powers. 
Restrictions. 
Duty to maintain corporate and tax-exempt status 
Records and inspection. 
Service of process. 
Liability for acts of officers and agents. 
Annual report. 
"§21001. Definition 
"For purposes of this chapter, 'State' includes the District of 
Columbia and the territories and possessions of the United States. 
"§21002. Organization 
"(a) FEDERAL CHARTER.—^American GI Forum of the United 
States (in this chapter, the 'corporation'), a nonprofit corporation 
incorporated in Texas, is a federally chartered corporation. 
"(b) EXPIRATION OF CHARTER.—If the corporation does not com-
ply with any provision of this chapter, the charter granted by 
this chapter expires. 
"§21003. Purposes 
"(a) GENERAL.—The purposes of the corporation are as provided 
in its bylaws and articles of incorporation and include— 
"(1) securing the blessing of American democracy at every 
level of local. State, and national life for all United States 
citizens; 
"(2) upholding and defending the Constitution and the 
United States flag; 
"(3) fostering and perpetuating the principles of American 
democracy based on religious and political freedom for the 
individual and equal opportunity for all; 
"(4) fostering and enlarging equal educational opportuni-
ties, equal economic opportunities, equal justice under the law, 
and equal political opportunities for all United States citizens, 
regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; 
"(5) encouraging greater participation of the ethnic minority 
represented by the corporation in the policy-making and 
administrative activities of all departments, agencies, and other 
governmental units of local and State governments and the 
United States Government; 
"(6) combating all practices of a prejudicial or discrimina-
tory nature in local, State, or national life which curtail, hinder, 
or deny to any United States citizen an equal opportunity 
to develop full potential as an individual; and 
"(7) fostering and promoting the broader knowledge and 
appreciation by all United States citizens of their cultural herit-
age and language. 
"(b) CORPORATE FUNCTION.—^The corporation shall function as 
an educational, patriotic, civic, historical, and research organization 
under the laws of Texas. 
PUBLIC LAW 105-354—NOV. 3, 19^8 
112 STAT. 3243 
"§ 21004. Membership 
"(a) ELIGIBILITY.—^Except as provided in this chapter, eligibiHty 
for membership in the corporation and the rights and privileges 
of members are as provided in the bylaws and articles of incorpora-
tion. 
"(b) NONDISCRIMINATION.—^The terms of membership may not 
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, 
age, or national origin. 
"§ 21005. Governing body 
"(a) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—^The board of directors and the 
responsibilities of the board are as provided in the bylaws and 
articles of incorporation. 
"(b) OFFICERS.—^The officers and the election of officers are 
as provided in the bylaws and articles of incorporation. 
"(c) NONDISCRIMINATION.—^The requirements for serving as a 
director or officer may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, 
religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin. 
"§ 21006. Powers 
"The corporation has only the powers provided in its bylaws 
and articles of incorporation filed in each State in which it is 
incorporated. 
"§ 21007. Restrictions 
"(a) STOCK AND DIVIDENDS.—^The corporation may not issue 
stock or declare 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 pay-
ment of reasonable compensation to an officer or employee 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, employee, or member. 
"(d) CLAIM OF GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL OR AUTHORITY.—The 
corporation may not claim congressional approval or the authority 
of the United States Government for any of its activities. 
*
*
§ 21008. Duty to maintain corporate and tax-exempt status 
"(a) CORPORATE STATUS.—^The corporation shall maintain its 
status as a corporation incorporated under the laws of Texas. 
"(b) 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.). 
'*§ 21009. 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. 
112 STAT. 3244 
PUBLIC LAW 105-354—NOV. 3, 1998 
"(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. 
*
*
§ 21010. 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 activities. 
*
*
§ 21011. 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. 
''§ 21012. 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.". 
(B) In the table of chapters at the beginning of subtitle 
II, insert after the item related to chapter 209: 
"210. AMERICAN GI FORUM OF THE UNITED STATES 
21001". 
(6) In section 21703(l)(A)(iv), strike "December 22, 1961" 
and substitute "February 28, 1961". 
(7) In section 70103(b), strike "the State of". 
(8) In section 151303, subsections (f) and (g) are amended 
to read as follows: 
"(f) STATUS.—Appointment to the board does not constitute 
appointment as an officer or employee of the United States Grovern-
ment for the purpose of any law of the United States. 
"(g) COMPENSATION.—^Members of the board serve without com-
pensation. 
"(h) LIABILITY.—Members of the board are not personally liable, 
except for gross negligence.". 
(9) In section 151305(b), strike "the State of". 
(10) In section 152903(8), strike "Corporation" and sub-
stitute "corporation". 
SEC. 2. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS. 
(a) The provisos in the paragraph under the heading "AMERICAN 
BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION" in the Departments of Veterans 
Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-65, Oct. 27, 
1997, 111 Stat. 1368, 36 App. U.S.C. 121b, 122, and 122a) are 
repealed. 
(b) Paragraph (3) of section 198(s) of the National and Commu-
nity Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12653(s)(3)) is repealed. 
Effective date. 
(c) Effective August 12, 1998, Public Law 105-225 (Aug. 12, 
1998, 112 Stat. 1253) is amended as follows: 
Ante, p. 1498. 
(1) Section 4(b) is amended by striking "2320(d)" and 
substituting "2320(e)". 
Ante, p. 1511. 
(2) Section 7(a), and the amendment made by section 7(a), 
are repealed. 
PUBLIC LAW 105-354—NOV. 3, 1998 
112 STAT. 3245 
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
The amendment made by section 1(8) of this Act shall take 
effect as if included in the provisions of Public Law 105-225, as 
of the date of enactment of Public Law 105-225. 
SEC. 4. LEGISLATIVE PURPOSE AND CONSTRUCTION. 
(a) No SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE.—(1) Section 1 of this Act restates, 
without substantive change, laws enacted before September 5, 1998, 
that were replaced by section 1. Section 1 may not be construed 
as making a substantive change in the laws replaced. 
(2) Laws enacted after September 4, 1998, that are inconsistent 
with this Act supersede this Act to the extent of the inconsistency. 
(b) REFERENCES.—A reference to a law replaced by this Act, 
including a reference in a regulation, order, or other law, is deemed 
to refer to the corresponding provision enacted by this Act. 
(c) CONTINUING EFFECT.—^An order, rule, or regulation in effect 
under a law replaced by this Act continues in effect under the 
corresponding provision enacted by this Act until repealed, amend-
ed, or superseded. 
(d) ACTIONS AND OFFENSES UNDER PRIOR LAW.—^An action 
taken or an offense committed under a law replaced by this Act 
is deemed to have been taken or committed under the corresponding 
provision enacted by this Act. 
(e) INFERENCES.—^An inference of a legislative construction is 
not to be drawn by reason of the location in the United States 
Code of a provision enacted by this Act or by reason of a heading 
of the provision. 
(f) SEVERABILITY.—If a provision enacted by this Act is held 
invalid, all valid provisions that are severable from the invalid 
provision remain in effect. If a provision enacted by this Act is 
held invalid in any of its applications, the provision remains valid 
for all valid applications that are severable from any of the invalid 
applications. 
SEC. 5. REPEALS. 
(a) INFERENCES OF REPEAL.—^The repeal of a law by this Act 
may not be construed as a legislative inference that the provision 
was or was not in effect before its repeal. 
(b) REPEALER SCHEDULE.—^The laws specified in the following 
schedule are repealed, except for rights and duties that matured, 
penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun 
before the date of enactment of this Act: 
112 STAT. 3246 
PUBLIC LAW 105-354—NOV. 3, 1998 
Schedule of Laws Repealed 
Statutes at Large 
Date 
1997 
Nov. 18 
Nov. 20 
1998 
Aug. 7 
Aug. 13 
Chapter 
or Public 
Law 
105-85 .. 
105-110 
105-220 
105-231 
Section 
1082, 1501-
1516. 
413 
1-16 
Statutes at Large 
Vol-
ume 
111 
111 
112 
112 
Page 
1917, 
1963. 
2270 
1241 
1530 
U.S. Code 
Title 
36 App. 
36 App. 
36 App. 
36 App. 
Section 
189a, 1101, 
5801-5815 
45 
155b 
1101, 
5901-5915 
Approved November 3, 1998. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2524: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 144 (1998): 
Oct. 8, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 12, considered and passed House.