§ 40101. Definition

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

§ 40102. Organization

• (a) Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Incorporated (in this chapter, the “corporation”), incorporated in New York, 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.

§ 40103. 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) preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the States;
• (2) commemorate the wars, campaigns, and military actions of the United States to reflect profound respect, high honor, and great tribute on the glorious dead and the surviving veterans of those wars, campaigns, and actions and to give all Americans a greater understanding of and appreciation for the sacrifices of those who participated in them for all Americans;
• (3) stimulate to the highest degree possible the interests of the entire Nation in the problems of veterans, their widows, and orphans;
• (4) cooperate to the fullest extent and in a harmonious manner with all veterans’ organizations in common projects designed to serve the interests of all veterans of all wars in which the United States has participated;
• (5) collate, preserve, and encourage the study of historical episodes, chronicles, mementos, and events pertaining to the wars, campaigns, and military actions of the United States;
• (6) inculcate an enduring love of country, a deep and abiding sense of patriotism, and a profound commitment to Americanism among all the people of the United States;
• (7) encourage, among the youth of our Nation, respect for our national flag, our anthem, and the traditions of America;
• (8) preserve the freedoms of all the people, national peace, prosperity, tranquility, good will, the permanence of free institutions, and the defense of the United States;
• (9) foster the association of veterans of the Catholic faith who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States;
• (10) encourage morality in government, labor, management, economic, social, fraternal, and all other phases of American life;
• (11) promote the realization that the family is the basic unit of society;
• (12) increase our love, honor, and service to God and to our fellow man without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin; and
• (13) function as a veterans’ and patriotic organization as authorized by the laws of each State in which it is incorporated.

§ 40104. Membership

Eligibility for membership in the corporation and the rights and privileges of members are as provided in the bylaws.

§ 40105. 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.

§ 40106. Powers

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

§ 40107. 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 employee in an amount 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.

§ 40108. Duty to maintain tax-exempt status

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.).

§ 40109. 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.

§ 40110. 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.

§ 40111. 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.

§ 40112. 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.