A bill to recognize the organization known as the Italian American War Veterans of the United States.
PL 97-82 (H.R.4734), enacted 11/20/1981

PUBLIC LAW 97-82—NOV. 20, 1981 
95 STAT. 1091 
Public Law 97-82 
97th Congress 
An Act 
To recognize the organization known as the Italian American War Veterans of the 
Nov. 20, 1981 
United States. 
[H.R. 4734] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. Italian American War Veterans of the United States, 
organized and incorporated under the Nonprofit Corporation Acts of 
the States of California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New 
Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, is hereby 
recognized as such and is granted a charter. 
POWERS 
SEC. 2. Italian American War Veterans of the United States 36 use 1702. 
(hereinafter 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. 
Italian 
American War 
Veterans of the 
United States. 
Charter. 
36 u s e 1701. 
OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF CORPORATION 
SEC. 3. The objects and purposes of the corporation are those 36 use 1703. 
provided in its articles of incorporation and shall include the giving of 
patriotic allegiance to the United States of America, fidelity to its 
Constitution and laws, and support to the security of civil liberty and 
permanence of free institutions; the stimulation of patriotism in the 
minds of all Americans by encouraging the study of the history of the 
United States; to assure the preservation and defense of the United 
States of America from all enemies without any reservation whatso-
ever; the preservation of the memories and records of patriotic 
service performed by men and women who served in the Armed 
Forces of the United States by gathering, collating, editing, publish-
ing, and exhibiting the memorabilia, data, records, military awards, 
decorations, citations of those who served in the Armed Forces of the 
United States, and the promotion of peace, prosperity, and good will 
between the peoples of the United States of America and the Republic 
of Italy. The corporation shall function as a veterans' and patriotic 
organization as authorized by the laws of the State or States where it 
is incorporated. 
SERVICE OF PROCESS 
SEC, 4. With respect to service of process, the corporation shall 36 use 1704. 
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. Any American citizen shall be eligible for membership in 36 use 1705. 
the corporation who was honorably discharged from the Armed 
95 STAT. 1092 
PUBLIC LAW 97-82—NOV. 20, 1981 
Forces of the United States of America, and eligibility for member-
ship in the corporation and the rights and privileges of members 
shall, except as provided in this Act, be as provided in the bylaws of 
the corporation. 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS; COMPOSITION; RESPONSIBILITIES 
36 use 1706. 
SEC. 6. The board of directors of the corporation and the responsibil-
ities 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. 
OFFICERS OF CORPORATION 
36 use 1707. 
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 1708. 
gEc g (a) -^Q 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 payment of 
reasonable compensation to the officers of the corporation or reim-
bursement for actual necessary expenses in amounts approved by the 
board of directors. 
(b) The corporation shall not make any loan to any officer, director, 
or employee of the corporation. 
(c) The corporation and any officer and director of the corporation, 
acting as such officer or director, shall not contribute to, support or 
otherwise participate in any political activity or in any manner 
attempt to influence legislation. 
(d) The corporation shall have no power to issue any shares of stock 
nor to declare or pay any dividends. 
(e) The corporation shall not claim congressional approval or 
Federal Government authority for any of its activities. 
LIABILITY 
36 use 1709. 
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 1710. 
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. 
PUBLIC LAW 97-82—NOV. 20, 1981 
95 STAT. 1093 
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: 
"(54) Italian American War Veterans of the United States.". 
ANNUAL REPORT 
SEC. 12. The corporation shall report annually to the Congress 36 use I7ii. 
concerning the activities of the corporation during the preceding 
fiscal year. Such annual report shall be submitted at the same time 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 36 use 1712. 
reserved to the Congress. 
DEFINITION OF STATE 
SEC. 14. For purposes of this Act, the term "State" includes the 36 use 1713. 
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 1714. 
tion exempt from taxation as provided in the Internal Revenue Code. 
If the corporation fails to maintain such status, the charter granted 
hereby shall expire. 
SEC. 16. If the corporation shall fail to comply with any of the 36 use 1715. 
restrictions or provisions of this Act, the charter granted hereby shall 
expire. 
Approved November 20, 1981. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4734: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 97-287 (eomm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL REGORD, Vol. 127 (1981): 
Oct. 26, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 10, considered and passed Senate.