§ 21101. Definition

For purposes of this chapter, “State” includes the District of Columbia and the territories and possessions of the United States.

§ 21102. Organization

• (a) American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated (in this chapter, the “corporation”), incorporated in the District of Columbia, is a federally chartered corporation.
• (b) If the corporation does not comply with any provision of this chapter, the charter granted by this chapter expires.

§ 21103. Purposes

The purposes of the corporation are as provided in the articles of incorporation and include a continuing commitment, on a national basis, to—

• (1) keep alive and develop the spirit that promoted world services;
• (2) maintain the ties of fellowship born of that service, and assist and further all patriotic work;
• (3) inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, State, and Nation;
• (4) assist veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, and other strategic areas and their dependents in the presentation of claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and aid in any way in their power the men and women who served and died or were wounded or incapacitated during hostilities;
• (5) perpetuate the memory of those whose lives were sacrificed in our wars;
• (6) maintain true allegiance to the United States;
• (7) inculcate lessons of patriotism and love of country in the communities in which we live;
• (8) inspire respect for the Stars and Stripes in the youth of America;
• (9) extend needful assistance to all Gold Star Mothers and, when possible, to their descendants; and
• (10) promote peace and good will for the United States and all other Nations.

§ 21104. Membership

• (a) Except as provided in this chapter, eligibility for membership in the corporation and the rights and privileges of members are as provided in the constitution and bylaws.
• (b) The terms of membership may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.

§ 21105. Governing body

• (a) The board of directors and the responsibilities of the board are as provided in the articles of incorporation.
• (b) The officers and the election of officers are as provided in the articles of incorporation.
• (c) The requirements for holding office in the corporation may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.

§ 21106. Powers

The corporation has only the powers provided in its bylaws and articles of incorporation filed in each State in which it is incorporated.

§ 21107. Restrictions

• (a) The corporation may not issue stock or declare or pay a dividend.
• (b) 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 payment of reasonable compensation to an officer or reimbursement for actual necessary expenses in amounts approved by the board of directors.
• (c) The corporation may not make a loan to a director, officer, or employee.
• (d) The corporation may not claim congressional approval or the authority of the United States Government for any of its activities.

§ 21108. Duty to maintain corporate and tax-exempt status

• (a) The corporation shall maintain its status as a corporation incorporated under the laws of each State in which it is incorporated.
• (b) 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.).

§ 21109. Records and inspection

• (a) 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) 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.

§ 21110. 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.

§ 21111. 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.

§ 21112. 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.