Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 2.djvu/599

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PUBLIC LAW 105-225—AUG. 12, 1998 112 STAT. 1483 (2) to cooperate to the fullest extent and in a harmonious manner with all veterans' organizations so that the best interests of all veterans of all wars in which the United States has participated, and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans of those wars, may best be served; (3) to stimulate communities and political subdivisions into taking more interest in veterans of World War I, the widows and orphans of those deceased veterans, and the problems of those veterans and their widows and orphans; (4) to collate, preserve, and encourage the study of historical episodes, chronicles, mementos, and events pertaining to World War I; (5) to fight vigorously to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States as well as the individual States of the Union and to foster the spirit and practice of true Americanism; (6) to fight unceasingly for our national security to protect Americans from enemies within our borders, as well as those from without, so that our American way of life is preserved; (7) to fight to the utmost all those alien forces, particularly forces such as communism, whose objectives are to deny our very existence as a free people; and (8) to do any other act necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of the corporation. §230303. Membership (a) ELIGIBILITY.—E l igibility for membership in the corporation and the rights, privileges, and designation of classes of members are as provided in the constitution and bylaws of the corporation. However, an individual who did not serve honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States during the period beginning April 6, 1917, and ending November 11, 1918, is not eligible for all classes of membership. (b) VOTING. —Each member of the corporation (except an associate or honorary member) has one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the members of the corporation except the national convention. §230304. 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 of the corporation. 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. Each elected representative is entitled to one vote at the national convention. (3) The meetings of the national convention may be held in the District of Columbia or in any State, territory, or possession of the United States. (b) BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION.—(1) During the intervals between the national convention, the board of administration is the governing board of the corporation and is responsible for the general policies, program, and activities of the corporation.