Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 2.djvu/436

 112 STAT. 1320 PUBLIC LAW 105-225—AUG. 12, 1998 §30502. Organization (a) FEDERAL CHARTER.— B lue Star Mothers of America, Inc. (in this chapter, the "corporation"), is a federally chartered corporation. (b) PLACE OF INCORPORATION AND DOMICILE.—The corporation is declared to be incorporated and domiciled in the District of Columbia. (c) PERPETUAL EXISTENCE.— Except as otherwise provided, the corporation has perpetual existence. §30503. Purposes The purposes of the corporation are patriotic, educational, social, and for service, and include— (1) perpetuating the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., and the memory of all the men and women who have served our country as members of the Armed Forces; (2) maintaining true allegiance to the Government of the United States; (3) educating members of the corporation and others not to divulge military, naval, or other Government information; (4) assisting in veterans' ceremonies; (5) attending patriotic rallies and meetings; (6) fostering true democracy; (7) caring for unsupported mothers who gave their sons to the service of the Nation; (8) aiding in bringing about recognition of the need for permanent civilian defense in each community and the need to be always alert against invasion of un-American activities; (9) upholding the American institutions of freedom, justice, and equal rights; and (10) defending the United States from all enemies. §30504. Membership An individual is eligible for membership in the corporation if— (1) she is a mother, adoptive mother, or stepmother (who has given a mother's care at least since the stepchild was age 13) of a son or daughter who— (A) is serving in the Armed Forces; or (B) has served in, or has been honorably discharged from, the Armed Forces in World War II or the Korean hostilities; and (2) she is living in the United States. §30505. Governing body (a) NATIONAL CONVENTION.— (1) The national convention is the supreme governing authority of the corporation. (2) The national convention is composed of officers and elected representatives from the States and other local subdivisions of the corporation as provided in the constitution and bylaws. However, the form of government of the corporation must be representative of the membership at large and may not permit concentration of control in a limited number of members or in a self-perpetuating group not representative of the membership at large. (3) The meetings of the national convention may be held in the District of Columbia or any State, territory, or possession of the United States.

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