1995 U.S. Code
Title 36 - PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES AND OBSERVANCES
CHAPTER 3 - THE AMERICAN LEGION
Sec. 44 - Powers of corporation

The corporation created by this chapter shall have the following powers: To have perpetual succession with power to sue and be sued in courts of law and equity; to receive, hold, own, use, and dispose of such real estate and personal property as shall be necessary for its corporate purposes; to adopt a corporate seal and alter the same at pleasure; to adopt a constitution, bylaws, and regulations to carry out its purposes, not inconsistent with the laws of the United States or of any State; to use, in carrying out the purposes of the corporation, such emblems and badges as it may adopt and to have the exclusive right to manufacture, and to control the right to manufacture, and to use, such emblems and badges as may be deemed necessary in the fulfillment of the purposes of the corporation; to establish and maintain offices for the conduct of its business; to establish State and Territorial organizations and local chapter or post organizations; to publish a magazine or other publications, and generally to do any and all such acts and things as may be necessary and proper in carrying into effect the purposes of the corporation.

(Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, §4, 41 Stat. 285; June 26, 1953, ch. 153, §1, 67 Stat. 82.)

1953—Act June 26, 1953, inserted provision relating to the exclusive right to manufacture, the use, and control of such emblems and badges deemed necessary in the fulfillment of the purposes of the corporation.

Loan or gift of condemned or obsolete material by Secretary of military department or Secretary of the Treasury, see section 2572 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Penalty for unauthorized manufacture, reproduction, or sale of badges or emblems of veterans’ organizations, see section 705 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Recognition by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of representatives of American Legion for prosecution of claims under laws administered by Department of Veterans Affairs, see section 5902 of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits.