12/31/2025
As to article #21706: A.L. Is non-Political
And maynot promote the candidacy of any individual seeking public office!!!!!!
UNITED STATES CODE
ANNOTATED
TITLE 36, CHAPTER 217,
SECTIONS 21701-21708
THE AMERICAN LEGION
Created by Act of Congress
Washington, DC on
September 16, 1919
§ 21701. Organization
(a) Federal charter.--The American Legion (in this chapter [36
U.S.C.A. § 21701 et seq.], the “corporation”) is a federally chartered
corporation.
(b) Perpetual existence.--Except as otherwise provided, the
corporation has perpetual existence.
§ 21702. Purposes
The purposes of the corporation are--
(1) to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States;
(2) to promote peace and good will among the peoples of the
United States and all the nations of the Earth;
(3) to preserve the memories and incidents of the 2 World Wars
and the other great hostilities fought to uphold democracy;
(4) to cement the ties and comradeship born of service; and
(5) to consecrate the efforts of its members to mutual helpfulness
and service to their country.
§ 21703. Membership
An individual is eligible for membership in the corporation (The
American Legion) only if the individual --
(1) Has served in the Armed Forces of - -
(A) the United States at any time during -
(i)the period from April 6, 1917, through November 11,
1918; or
(ii) any time after December 7, 1941; or
(B) a government associated with the United States during
a period or time referred to in subclause (a) of this clause
and was a citizen of the United States when the individual
entered that service; and
(2) was honorably discharged or separated from that service or
continues to serve honorably during or after that period or time.
§ 21704. Powers
The corporation may—
(1) adopt a constitution, bylaws, and regulations to carry out the
purposes of the corporation;
(2) adopt and alter a corporate seal;
(3) establish and maintain offices to conduct its activities;
(4) establish State and territorial organizations and local chapter
or post organizations;
(5) provide guidance and leadership to organizations and local
chapters established under paragraph (4), but may not control
or otherwise influence the specific activities and conduct of
such organizations and local chapters;1
(6) acquire, own, lease, encumber, and transfer property as
necessary to carry out the purposes of the corporation;
(7) publish a magazine and other publications;
(8) sue and be sued; and
(9) do any other act necessary and proper to carry out the
purposes of the corporation.
1 Added December 13, 2011
3
§ Section 21704A - Nondiscrimination
The requirements for holding a staff position in the corporation
may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, s*x or
national origin.
§ 21705. Exclusive right to name,
emblems, and badges
The corporation and its State and local subdivisions have the
exclusive right to use the name “The American Legion” or
“American Legion”. The corporation has the exclusive right to use,
manufacture, and control the right to manufacture, emblems and
badges the corporation adopts.
§ 21706. Political activities
The corporation shall be nonpolitical and may not promote the
candidacy of an individual seeking public office.
§ 21707. Service of process
As a condition to the exercise of any power or privilege granted
by this chapter [36 U.S.C.A. § 21701 et seq.], the corporation shall
file, with the secretary of state or other designated official of each
State, the name and address of an agent in that State on whom
legal process or demands against the corporation may be served.
§ 21708. Annual report
Not later than January 1 of each year, the corporation shall submit
a report to Congress on the activities of the corporation during
the prior calendar year. The report may not be printed .
