Title 20, EducationRelease 119-110

§80 National Armed Forces Museum Advisory Board

Title 20 › CHAPTER 3 — SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, NATIONAL MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES › SUBCHAPTER X — NATIONAL ARMED FORCES MUSEUM ADVISORY BOARD › § 80

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

A National Armed Forces Museum Advisory Board at the Smithsonian will advise the Regents on how to present the Armed Forces' contributions to American society and culture. It has 11 members: the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Smithsonian serve because of their jobs, and the President appoints nine others — three from those recommended by the Defense Secretary, two from those recommended by the Regents, and at least two appointees must be civilians. Appointees serve six-year terms; replacements finish unexpired terms. The first appointments are staggered so three end after 2 years, three after 4, and three after 6. Five members make a quorum. Members are unpaid but reimbursed for travel, lodging, and other necessary expenses. The Board picks officers every two years and may make bylaws and rules.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §80

Education, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Establishment; functions

There is established in the Smithsonian Institution a National Armed Forces Museum Advisory Board (hereinafter referred to as the Board), which shall provide advice and assistance to the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution on matters concerned with the portrayal of the contributions which the Armed Forces of the United States have made to American society and culture.

(b)Membership

The Board shall be composed of eleven members, as follows:

(1)The Secretary of Defense, who shall serve as an ex officio member;

(2)The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, who shall serve as an ex officio member;

(3)Nine members appointed by the President, (A) three of whom shall be appointed from persons recommended by the Secretary of Defense to represent the Armed Forces, and (B) two of whom shall be appointed from among persons recommended by the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Not less than two members appointed by the President shall be from civilian life.

(c)Term of office; vacancies

Members of the Board appointed by the President shall be appointed to serve for a period of six years; except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term and the terms of office of the members first appointed shall expire, as designated by the President at the time of appointment, three at the end of two years, three at the end of four years, and three at the end of six years.

(d)Quorum

Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum and any vacancy in the Board shall not affect its power to function.

(e)Compensation, travel and other expenses

The members of the Board shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as members of the Board.

(f)Biennial organization; rules and regulations

The Board shall select officers from among its members biennially and shall make such bylaws, rules, and regulations as it deems necessary for the furtherance of its business.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

20 U.S.C. § 80

Title 20, Education

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110