The following persons, to wit: Burton Little, Chickasaw, Alabama; Tom Goggin, Phoenix, Arizona; Leonard Chrysler, Los Altos, California; Wayne L. Capson, Garden Grove, California; George Boschet, Silver Spring, Maryland; Robert Classon, New York, New York; Edward G. Maxwell, Miami, Florida; Claude C. Beckham, Irmo, South Carolina; Benny Tschetter, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Frederick T. Gill, Valley Station, Kentucky; Lee M. Gresham, Wixom, Michigan; Conrad M. Standinger, Memphis, Tennessee; Curley Gullet, Denver, Colorado; Charles Swartz, Marblehead, Massachusetts; Bolivar Rivera, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico; James Schwiem, Pasadena, Texas; Robert T. Kiggins, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Glenn E. Mayer, Hines, Illinois; John Novak, Richmond, Virginia; and such other persons as are members of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and their associates and successors, are hereby created and declared to be a body corporate by the name of Paralyzed Veterans of America (hereinafter referred to as the “corporation”).
(Pub. L. 92–93, §1, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 317.)
This section is referred to in section 1152 of this title.
The persons named in section 1151 of this title, or their successors, are hereby authorized to complete the organization of the corporation by the selection of officers, the adoption of a constitution and bylaws, and the doing of such other acts as may be necessary for such purpose.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §2, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 317.)
The objects and purposes of the corporation shall be—
(a) to preserve the great and basic truths and enduring principles upon which this Nation was founded;
(b) to form a national association for the benefit of persons who have suffered injuries or diseases of the spinal cord;
(c) to acquaint the public with the needs and problems of paraplegics;
(d) to promote medical research in the several fields connected with injuries and diseases of the spinal cord, including research in neurosurgery and orthopedics and in genitourinary and orthopedic appliances; and
(e) to advocate and foster complete and effective reconditioning programs for paraplegics, including a thorough physical reconditioning program, physiotherapy, competent walking instructions, adequate guidance (both vocational and educational), academic and vocational education (both in hospitals and in educational institutions), psychological orientation and readjustment to family and friends, and occupational therapy (both functional and diversional).
(Pub. L. 92–93, §3, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 317.)
The corporation shall have perpetual succession and shall have power—
(a) to sue and be sued;
(b) to acquire, hold, and dispose of such real and personal property as may be necessary to carry out the corporate purposes;
(c) to make and enter into contracts;
(d) to accept gifts, legacies, and devises which will further the corporate purposes;
(e) to borrow money for the purposes of the corporation, issue bonds therefor, and secure the same by mortgage, subject in every case to all applicable provisions of Federal and State law;
(f) to adopt and alter a corporate seal;
(g) to establish, regulate, and discontinue subordinate State and regional organizations and local chapters or posts;
(h) to choose such officers, representatives, and agents as may be necessary to carry out the corporate purposes;
(i) to establish and maintain offices for the conduct of the affairs of the corporation;
(j) to adopt and alter a constitution and bylaws not inconsistent with law;
(k) to publish a newspaper, magazine, or other publications;
(l) to adopt and alter emblems and badges; and
(m) to do any and all acts and things necessary and proper to accomplish the objects and purposes of the corporation.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §4, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 317.)
Penalty for unauthorized manufacture, reproduction, or sale of badges or emblems of veterans’ organizations, see section 705 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.
The corporation shall have no power to issue capital stock or engage in business for pecuniary profit or gain.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §5, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 318.)
The corporation shall be nonpolitical and, as an organization, shall not furnish financial aid to, or otherwise promote the candidacy of, any person seeking public office.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §6, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 318.)
Any American citizen shall be eligible for membership in the corporation who was regularly enlisted, inducted, or commissioned, and who was accepted for, or was on, active duty in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard of the United States, or our allies. Service with the Armed Forces must have been terminated by discharge or separation from service under conditions other than dishonorable: Provided, however, That persons otherwise eligible for membership who are on active duty or who must continue to serve after the cessation of hostilities are also eligible for membership: And, provided further, That membership shall be limited to such persons as have suffered spinal cord injuries or diseases whether service connected or nonservice connected in origin.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §7, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 318.)
The headquarters and principal place of business of said corporation shall be located in the District of Columbia, but the activities of said organization, as set out herein, shall not be confined to said city, but shall be conducted throughout the several States and any territory or possession of the United States.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §8, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 318.)
In the event of a final dissolution or liquidation of such corporation, and after the discharge or satisfactory provisions for the discharge of all its liabilities, the remaining assets of the said corporation shall be transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs to be applied to the care and comfort of paralyzed veterans.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §9, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 318; Pub. L. 102–54, §13(n)(5), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 278.)
1991—Pub. L. 102–54 substituted “Department of Veterans Affairs” for “Veterans’ Administration”.
The corporation and its State and regional organizations and local chapters or posts shall have the sole and exclusive right to have and use in carrying out its purposes the name “Paralyzed Veterans of America,” and such seals, emblems, and badges as the corporation may lawfully adopt.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §10, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 318.)
Penalty for unauthorized manufacture, reproduction, or sale of badges or emblems of veterans’ organizations, see section 705 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.
The corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of its members, executive committee, and committee, having any of the authority of the executive committee; and shall keep at its registered office or principal office a record giving the names and addresses of its members entitled to vote; and permit all books and records of the corporation to be inspected by any member or his agent or his attorney for any proper purpose at any reasonable time.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §11, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 318.)
As a condition precedent to the exercise of any power or privilege herein granted or conferred, the corporation shall file in the office of the Secretary of each State or of any territory or possession of the United States, in which organizations, chapters, or posts may be organized, the name and post office address of an authorized agent upon whom local process or demands against the corporation may be served.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §12, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 318.)
Such provisions, privileges, and prerogatives as have been granted heretofore to other national veterans’ organizations by virtue of their being incorporated by Congress are hereby granted and accrue to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §13, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 319.)
(a) No part of the income or assets of the corporation shall inure to any member, director, officer, or employee of the corporation or be distributable to any person during the life of the corporation or upon its dissolution or final liquidation. Nothing in this subsection, however, shall be construed to prevent the payment of reasonable compensation to officers and employees of the corporation or to prevent their reimbursement for actual necessary expenses in amounts approved by the corporation's board of directors.
(b) The corporation shall not make loans to its members, officers, directors, or employees. Any director who votes for or assents to the making of such a loan, and any officer who participates in the making of such a loan, shall be jointly and severally liable to the corporation for the amount of such loan until the repayment thereof.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §14, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 319.)
The corporation shall be liable for the acts of its officers and agents when acting within the scope of their authority.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §15, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 319.)
The provisions of sections 1102 and 1103 of this title shall apply with respect to the corporation.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §16, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 319.)
The right to alter, amend, or repeal this chapter is hereby expressly reserved.
(Pub. L. 92–93, §17, Aug. 11, 1971, 85 Stat. 319.)