-CITE-

36 USC CHAPTER 217 - THE AMERICAN LEGION 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND

ORGANIZATIONS

Subtitle II - Patriotic and National Organizations

Part B - Organizations

CHAPTER 217 - THE AMERICAN LEGION

-HEAD-

CHAPTER 217 - THE AMERICAN LEGION

-MISC1-

Sec.

21701. Organization.

21702. Purposes.

21703. Membership.

21704. Powers.

21705. Exclusive right to name, emblems, and badges.

21706. Political activities.

21707. Service of process.

21708. Annual report.

-End-

-CITE-

36 USC Sec. 21701 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND

ORGANIZATIONS

Subtitle II - Patriotic and National Organizations

Part B - Organizations

CHAPTER 217 - THE AMERICAN LEGION

-HEAD-

Sec. 21701. Organization

-STATUTE-

(a) Federal Charter. - The American Legion (in this chapter, the

"corporation") is a federally chartered corporation.

(b) Perpetual Existence. - Except as otherwise provided, the

corporation has perpetual existence.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 105-225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1297.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large)

Section

--------------------------------------------------------------------

21701(a) 36:41. Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59,

Secs. 1, 2, 41 Stat. 284.

36:42.

21701(b) 36:44 (words before Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, Sec.

4th semicolon 4 (words before 4th

related to semicolon related to

perpetual perpetual succession), 41

succession). Stat. 285; June 26, 1953,

ch. 153, Sec. 1, 67 Stat. 82.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

This section is substituted for the source provisions for

consistency in the revised title and to eliminate unnecessary and

obsolete language.

-End-

-CITE-

36 USC Sec. 21702 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND

ORGANIZATIONS

Subtitle II - Patriotic and National Organizations

Part B - Organizations

CHAPTER 217 - THE AMERICAN LEGION

-HEAD-

Sec. 21702. Purposes

-STATUTE-

The purposes of the corporation are -

(1) to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States;

(2) to promote peace and good will among the peoples of the

United States and all the nations of the Earth;

(3) to preserve the memories and incidents of the 2 World Wars

and the other great hostilities fought to uphold democracy;

(4) to cement the ties and comradeship born of service; and

(5) to consecrate the efforts of its members to mutual

helpfulness and service to their country.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 105-225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1297.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large)

Section

--------------------------------------------------------------------

21702 36:43. Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, Sec.

3, 41 Stat. 285; Oct. 29,

1942, ch. 633, Sec. 1, 56

Stat. 1012; July 26, 1955,

ch. 386, Sec. 1, 69 Stat.

379; Sept. 1, 1966, Pub. L.

89-550, Sec. 1, 80 Stat. 371.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

In clause (1), the words "of America" are omitted.

-End-

-CITE-

36 USC Sec. 21703 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND

ORGANIZATIONS

Subtitle II - Patriotic and National Organizations

Part B - Organizations

CHAPTER 217 - THE AMERICAN LEGION

-HEAD-

Sec. 21703. Membership

-STATUTE-

An individual is eligible for membership in the corporation only

if the individual -

(1) has served in the Armed Forces of -

(A) the United States at any time during any period from -

(i) April 6, 1917, through November 11, 1918;

(ii) December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946;

(iii) June 25, 1950, through January 31, 1955;

(iv) February 28, 1961, through May 7, 1975;

(v) August 24, 1982, through July 31, 1984;

(vi) December 20, 1989, through January 31, 1990; or

(vii) August 2, 1990, through the date of cessation of

hostilities, as decided by the United States Government; or

(B) a government associated with the United States during a

period referred to in subclause (A) of this clause and was a

citizen of the United States when the individual entered that

service; and

(2) was honorably discharged or separated from that service or

continues to serve honorably during or after that period.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 105-225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1297; Pub. L. 105-354,

Sec. 1(6), Nov. 3, 1998, 112 Stat. 3244; Pub. L. 107-309, Sec. 1,

Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2449.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

PUB. L. 105-225

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large)

Section

--------------------------------------------------------------------

21703 36:45. Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, Sec.

5, 41 Stat. 285; Oct. 29,

1942, ch. 633, Sec. 2, 56

Stat. 1012; July 9, 1946,

ch. 546, 60 Stat. 524; Dec.

28, 1950, ch. 1177, 64 Stat.

1122; July 26, 1955, ch.

386, Sec. 2, 69 Stat. 380;

Sept. 1, 1966, Pub. L.

89-550, Sec. 2, 80 Stat.

372; Dec. 27, 1974, Pub. L.

93-557, 88 Stat. 1792; Aug.

17, 1978, Pub. L. 95-346, 92

Stat. 485; Dec. 21, 1979,

Pub. L. 96-155, 93 Stat.

1165; Oct. 30, 1990, Pub. L.

101-478, 104 Stat. 1157;

Dec. 2, 1991, Pub. L.

102-179, 105 Stat. 1229.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

In clause (1), the words "armed forces" are substituted for

"naval or military services" and "military or naval service" for

clarity. In subclause (A), the word "through" is substituted for

"all dates inclusive" for clarity. In subclause (B), the words "a

government associated with the United States during a period

referred to in subclause (A) of this clause and was a citizen of

the United States when the individual entered that service" are

substituted for "who, being a citizen of the United States at the

time of entry therein . . . of any governments associated with the

United States during said wars or hostilities" for clarity.

In clause (2), the words "after that period" are substituted for

"after any of the aforesaid terminal dates" to eliminate

unnecessary words.

PUB. L. 105-354

This amends section 21703(1)(A)(iv) of title 36 to reflect

changes made by Public Law 105-110 (Nov. 20, 1997, 111 Stat. 2270).

AMENDMENTS

2002 - Par. (2). Pub. L. 107-309 inserted "during or" after

"continues to serve honorably".

1998 - Par. (1)(A)(iv). Pub. L. 105-354 substituted "February 28,

1961" for "December 22, 1961".

-End-

-CITE-

36 USC Sec. 21704 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND

ORGANIZATIONS

Subtitle II - Patriotic and National Organizations

Part B - Organizations

CHAPTER 217 - THE AMERICAN LEGION

-HEAD-

Sec. 21704. Powers

-STATUTE-

The corporation may -

(1) adopt a constitution, bylaws, and regulations to carry out

the purposes of the corporation;

(2) adopt and alter a corporate seal;

(3) establish and maintain offices to conduct its activities;

(4) establish State and territorial organizations and local

chapter or post organizations;

(5) acquire, own, lease, encumber, and transfer property as

necessary to carry out the purposes of the corporation;

(6) publish a magazine and other publications;

(7) sue and be sued; and

(8) do any other act necessary and proper to carry out the

purposes of the corporation.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 105-225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1297.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large)

Section

--------------------------------------------------------------------

21704 36:44 (words before Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, Sec.

4th semicolon less 4 (words before 4th

perpetual semicolon less perpetual

succession, words succession, words after 5th

after 5th semicolon), 41 Stat. 285;

semicolon). June 26, 1953, ch. 153, Sec.

1, 67 Stat. 82.

36:47. Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, Sec.

7, 41 Stat. 285.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

In this section, the text of 36:47 is omitted as executed and

obsolete.

In clause (1), the words "not inconsistent with the laws of the

United States or of any State" are omitted as unnecessary.

In clause (2), the words "at pleasure" are omitted as

unnecessary.

In clause (3), the word "activities" is substituted for

"business" for consistency in the revised title.

Clause (5) is substituted for "to receive, hold, own, use, and

dispose of such real estate and personal property as shall be

necessary for its corporate purposes" for consistency in the

revised title and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In clause (7), the words "in courts of law and equity" are

omitted as unnecessary.

In clause (8), the words "do any other act" are substituted for

"generally to do any and all such acts and things" for consistency

in the revised title and to eliminate unnecessary words.

-End-

-CITE-

36 USC Sec. 21705 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND

ORGANIZATIONS

Subtitle II - Patriotic and National Organizations

Part B - Organizations

CHAPTER 217 - THE AMERICAN LEGION

-HEAD-

Sec. 21705. Exclusive right to name, emblems, and badges

-STATUTE-

The corporation and its State and local subdivisions have the

exclusive right to use the name "The American Legion" or "American

Legion". The corporation has the exclusive right to use,

manufacture, and control the right to manufacture, emblems and

badges the corporation adopts.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 105-225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1298.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large)

Section

--------------------------------------------------------------------

21705 36:44 (words Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59,

between 4th and 5th Secs. 4 (words between 4th

semicolons). and 5th semicolons), 8, 41

Stat. 285; June 26, 1953,

ch. 153, 67 Stat. 82.

36:48.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The word "sole" is omitted as included in "exclusive". The words

"to have and", "in carrying out its purposes", and "in carrying out

the purposes of the corporation" are omitted as unnecessary.

-End-

-CITE-

36 USC Sec. 21706 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND

ORGANIZATIONS

Subtitle II - Patriotic and National Organizations

Part B - Organizations

CHAPTER 217 - THE AMERICAN LEGION

-HEAD-

Sec. 21706. Political activities

-STATUTE-

The corporation shall be nonpolitical and may not promote the

candidacy of an individual seeking public office.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 105-225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1298.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large)

Section

--------------------------------------------------------------------

21706 36:46. Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, Sec.

6, 41 Stat. 285.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The words "as an organization" are omitted as unnecessary.

-End-

-CITE-

36 USC Sec. 21707 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND

ORGANIZATIONS

Subtitle II - Patriotic and National Organizations

Part B - Organizations

CHAPTER 217 - THE AMERICAN LEGION

-HEAD-

Sec. 21707. Service of process

-STATUTE-

As a condition to the exercise of any power or privilege granted

by this chapter, the corporation shall file, with the secretary of

state or other designated official of each State, the name and

address of an agent in that State on whom legal process or demands

against the corporation may be served.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 105-225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1298.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large)

Section

--------------------------------------------------------------------

21707 36:50. Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, Sec.

9 1/2, 41 Stat. 285.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The word "precedent" is omitted as unnecessary. The words "with

the secretary of state or other designated official" are

substituted for "in the office of the secretary of state" for

consistency in the revised title. The words "post-office" and

"authorized" are omitted as unnecessary.

-End-

-CITE-

36 USC Sec. 21708 01/06/03

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 36 - PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND

ORGANIZATIONS

Subtitle II - Patriotic and National Organizations

Part B - Organizations

CHAPTER 217 - THE AMERICAN LEGION

-HEAD-

Sec. 21708. Annual report

-STATUTE-

Not later than January 1 of each year, the corporation shall

submit a report to Congress on the activities of the corporation

during the prior calendar year. The report may not be printed as a

public document.

-SOURCE-

(Pub. L. 105-225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1298.)

-MISC1-

HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Revised Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large)

Section

--------------------------------------------------------------------

21708 36:49. Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, Sec.

9, 41 Stat. 285; Aug. 30,

1964, Pub. L. 88-504, Sec.

4(3), 78 Stat. 636.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

TERMINATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of reporting provisions

in this section, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104-66, as amended,

set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and

Finance, and page 196 of House Document No. 103-7.

-End-