A bill to recognize the organization known as the American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated.
PL 98-314 (S.2413), enacted 06/12/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-314—JUNE 12, 1984 
98 STAT. 237 
Public Law 98-314 
98th Congress 
An Act 
To recognize the org£uiization known as the American Gold Star Mothers, 
June 12, 1984 
Incorporated. 
[g 2413] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
CHARTER 
SECTION 1. American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated, organized ^^ use 240i. 
and incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia, is 
hereby recognized as such and is granted a charter. 
POWERS 
SEC. 2. American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated (hereinafter 36 use 2402. 
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 which it is incorporated and subject to the laws 
of such State or States. 
OBJECTS AND PURPOSES OF CORPORATION 
SEC. 3. The objects and purposes for which the corporation is 36 use 2403. 
organized shall be those provided in its articles of incorporation and 
shall include a continuing commitment, on a national basis, to— 
(a) keep alive and develop the spirit that promoted world 
services; 
(b) maintain the ties of fellowship born of that service, and to 
assist and further all patriotic work; 
(c) inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the commu-
nity. State, and Nation; 
(d) assist veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean 
Conflict, Vietnam, and other strategic areas and their depend-
ents in the presentation of claims to the Veterans' Administra-
tion, and to aid in any way in their power the men and women 
who served and died or were wounded or incapacitated during 
hostilities; 
(e) perpetuate the memory of those whose lives were sacri-
ficed in our wars; 
(f) maintain true allegiance to the United States of America; 
(g) inculcate lessons of patriotism and love of country in the 
communities in which we live; 
(h) inspire respect for the Stars and Stripes in the youth of 
America; 
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(i) extend needful assistance to all Gold Star Mothers and, 
when possible, to their descendants; and 
0) to promote peace and good will for the United States and 
all other Nations. 
98 STAT. 238 
PUBLIC LAW 98-314—JUNE 12, 1984 
SERVICE OF PROCESS 
36 use 2404. 
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 
36 use 2405. 
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. 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS; COMPOSITION; RESPONSIBILITIES 
36 use 2406. 
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. 
OFFICERS OF CORPORATION 
36 use 2407. 
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 2408. 
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 shall have no power to issue any shares of 
stock nor to declare or pay any dividends. 
(d) The corporation shall not claim congressional approval or 
Federal Government authority for any of its activities. 
(e) The corporation shall retain and maintain its status as a 
corporation organized and incorporated under the laws of the State 
or States wherein it is incorporated. 
UABIUTY 
36 use 2409. 
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 2410. 
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 
PUBLIC LAW 98-314—JUNE 12, 1984 
98 STAT. 239 
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 Federal 
law", approved August 30, 1964 (36 U.S.C. 1101), is amended by 
adding at the end thereof the following: 
"(63) American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated". 
ANNUAL REPORT 
SEC. 12. The corporation shall report annually to the Congress 3
6 use 24ii. 
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 2412. 
reserved to the Congress. 
DEFINITION OF "STATE" 
SEC. 14. For purposes of this Act, the term "State" includes the 3
6 use 2413. 
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 2414. 
tion exempt from taxation as provided in the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1954. If the corporation fails to maintain such status, the charter 2
6 use i et 
granted hereby shall expire. 
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98 STAT. 240 
PUBLIC LAW 98-314—JUNE 12, 1984 
TERMINATION 
36 use 2415. 
SEC. 16. If the corporation shall fail to comply with any of the 
restrictions or provisions of this Act the charter granted hereby 
shall expire. 
Approved June 12, 1984. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2413 (H.R. 3811): 
SENATE REPORT No. 98-379 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
Apr. 25, considered and passed Senate. 
May 10, H.R. 3811 considered and passed House; S. 2413, amended, passed in 
lieu. 
May 22, Senate concurred in House amendment.