Charter for Irish American Cultural Institute

Part B of subtitle II of title 36, United States Code, is amended— (1)by redesignating chapter 1001 as chapter 1003; (2)by redesignating sections 100101 through 100110, and the items relating thereto in the table of sections, as sections 100301 through 100310, respectively; and (3)by inserting after chapter 901 the following new chapter:

1001

Irish American Cultural Institute

Sec.

100101. Organization

100102. Purposes

100103. Membership

100104. Governing body

100105. Powers

100106. Exclusive right to name, seals, emblems, and badges

100107. Restrictions

100108. Duty to maintain tax-exempt status

100109. Principal office

100110. Records and inspection

100111. Service of process

100112. Liability for acts of officers and agents

100113. Annual report

100101.

Organization

(a)

Federal charter

The Irish American Cultural Institute (in this chapter, the corporation), incorporated in New Jersey, is a federally chartered corporation. (b)

Expiration of charter

If the corporation does not comply with any provision of this chapter, the charter granted by this chapter expires.

100102.

Purposes

The purposes of the corporation are as provided in the articles of incorporation and include— (1)establishing the Museum of Irish America in Washington, D.C., as the center of Irish American thought, dialogue, debate, and reflection; (2)recognizing and recording a living memorial to the contributions of Irish-born and Irish Americans to the development of the United States; (3)providing a focal point for all Irish Americans, who make up 17 percent of the United States population, according to the 2000 census; (4)exploring past, current, and future events in Ireland and the United States, as they relate to Irish Americans and society as a whole; (5)documenting the tremendous contributions of Irish immigrants to the United States in the areas of architecture, military, politics, religion, labor, sports, literature, and art; (6)providing ongoing studies to ensure that the experiences of the past will benefit the future of both Ireland and the United States; and (7)establishing an Irish American Studies Program for students from both Ireland and the United States.

100103.

Membership

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

100104.

Governing body

(a)

Board of directors

The board of directors and the responsibilities of the board are as provided in the articles of incorporation. (b)

Officers

The officers and the election of officers are as provided in the articles of incorporation.

100105.

Powers

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

100106.

Exclusive right to name, seals, emblems, and badges

The corporation has the exclusive right to use the name Irish American Cultural Institute and any seals, emblems, and badges relating thereto that the corporation adopts.

100107.

Restrictions

(a)

Stock and dividends

The corporation may not issue stock or declare or pay a dividend. (b)

Political activities

The corporation or a director or officer as such may not contribute to, support, or participate in any political activity or in any manner attempt to influence legislation. (c)

Distribution of income or assets

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 member in an amount approved by the board of directors. (d)

Loans

The corporation may not make any loan to a director, officer, or employee. (e)

Claim of governmental approval or authorization

The corporation may not claim congressional approval or the authority of the United States Government for any of its activities.

100108.

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.).

100109.

Principal office

The principal office of the corporation shall be in Morristown, New Jersey, or another place decided by the board of directors.

100110.

Records and inspection

(a)

Records

The corporation shall keep— (1)correct and complete books and 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)

Inspection

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.

100111.

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.

100112.

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.

100113.

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 shall not be printed as a public document.