890
P U B L I C LAW 885-AUG. 1, 1956
Public Law 885 August 1, 1956 IS. 2S69]
State Department. P a s s p o r t an d despatch agencies.
Printing binding.
and
40 Stat. 1270. Transportation of household effects, etc.
62 Stat. 983.^
Insurance o n motor v e h i c l e s.
Expenses seamen.
Rentals leases.
for
and
E m e r g e n c y expenditures.
[70
ST A T.
CHAPTER 841
AN ACT To provide certain basic authority for the Department of State.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assenwled^ That the Secretary of State is authorized to establish, maintain, and operate passport and despatch agencies. SEC. 2. The Secretary of State, when funds are appropriated therefor, may— (a) provide for printing and binding outside the continental United States without regard to section 11 of the Act of March 1, 1919 (44 U.S.C. I l l); (b) pay the cost of transportation to and from a place of storage and the cost of storing the furniture and household and personal effects of an employee of the Foreign Service who is assigned to a post at which he is unable to use his furniture and effects, under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe; (c) employ aliens, by contract, for services abroad; (d) provide for official functions and courtesies; (e) purchase uniforms; and (f) pay tort claims, in the manner authorized in the first paragraph of section 2672, as amended, of title 28 of the United States Code when such claims arise in foreign countries in connection with Department of State operations abroad. SEC. 3. The Secretary of State is authorized to— (a) obtain insurance on official motor vehicles operated by the Department of State in foreign countries, and pay the expenses incident thereto; (b) rent tie lines and teletype equipment; (c) provide ice and drinking water for United States Embassies and Consulates abroad; (d) pay excise taxes on negotiable instruments which are negotiated by the Department of State abroad; (e) pay the actual expenses of preparing and transporting to their former homes the remains of persons, not United States Government employees, who may die away from their homes while participating in international educational exchange activities under the jurisdiction of the Department of State; (f) pay expenses incident to the relief, protection, and burial of American seamen, and alien seamen from United States vessels in foreign countries and in the United States Territories and possessions; (g) pay the expenses incurred in the acknowledgment of the services of officers and crews of foreign vessels and aircraft in rescuing American seamen, airmen, or citizens from shipwreck or other catastrophe abroad or at sea; (h) rent or lease, for periods of less than ten years, such offices, buildings, grounds, and living quarters for the use of the Foreign Service abroad as he may deem necessary, and make payments therefor in advance; and (i) maintain, improve, and repair properties rented or leased pursuant to authority contained in subsection (h) of this section and furnish fuel, water, and utilities for such properties. SEC. 4. The Secretary of State is authorized to— (a) make expenditures, from such amounts as may be specifically appropriated therefor, for unforeseen emergencies arising in the diplomatic and consular service and, to the extent author-
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