A bill to recognize the organization known as Former Members of Congress.
PL 97-427 (H.R.7423), enacted 01/08/1983

PUBLIC LAW 97-427—JAN. 8, 1983 
96 STAT. 2265 
Public Law 97-427 
97th Congress 
An Act 
To recognize the organization known as Former Members of Congress. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
CHARTER 
SECTION 1. Former Members of Congress, organized and incorpo-
rated under the Nonprofit Corporation Act of the District of Colum-
bia, is hereby recognized as such and is granted a charter. 
Jan. 8, 1983 
[H.R. 7423] 
Former 
Members 
of Congress. 
Incorporation. 
36 u s e 2201. 
POWERS 
SEC. 2. Former Members of Congress (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. 
36 u s e 2202. 
OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF CORPORATION 
SEC. 3. The objects and purposes of the corporation are those 
provided in its articles of incorporation and shall include the promo-
tion of the cause of good government at the national level by 
improving the public understanding of the United States Congress 
as an institution and strengthening its support by the public. The 
corporation shall function as an educational, patriotic, civic, histori-
cal, and research organization as authorized by the laws of the State 
or States wherein it is incorporated. 
36 u s e 2203. 
SERVICE OF PROCESS 
SEC. 4. With respect to service of process, the corporation shall 
36 USC 2204. 
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 
36 use 2205. 
rights and privileges of members shall be as provided in the bylaws 
of the corporation. 
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 2206. 
96 STAT. 2266 
PUBLIC LAW 97-427—JAN. 8,1983 
OFFICERS OF CORPORATION 
36 use 2207. 
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 2208. 
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 ap-
proved 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 such officer or director, shall not contribute to, support or 
otherwise psulicipate in any political activity or in any manner 
attempt to influence l^;islation. 
(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 2209. 
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 2210. 
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 of 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 Federal 
law", approved August 30, 1964 (36 U.S.C. 1101), is amended by 
adding at the end thereof the following: 
"(59) Former Members of Congress.". 
ANNUAL REPORT 
36 use 2211. 
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 97-427—JAN. 8,1983 
96 STAT. 2267 
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 
3
6 use 2212. 
reserved to the Congress. 
DEFINITION OF "STATE" 
SEC. 14. For purposes of this Act, the term "State" includes the 
36 use 2213. 
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 2214. 
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. 
TERMINATION 
SEC. 16. If the corporation shall fail to comply with any of the 
36 use 2215. 
restrictions or provisions of this Act the charter granted hereby 
shall expire. 
Approved January 8, 1983. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 7423: 
eONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 128 (1982): 
Dec. 17, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 19, considered and passed Senate.