Title 36Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-73not60

§220304 Governing Body

Title 36 › Subtitle Subtitle II— Patriotic and National Organizations › Part B— Organizations › Chapter 2203— UNITED STATES CAPITOL HISTORICAL SOCIETY › § 220304

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Creates a board of trustees to run the corporation and control its money and affairs. Not counting ex officio and honorary members, the board must have at least 12 and no more than 40 trustees. The board picks one trustee as chairman. Trustees serve 4-year terms. A trustee cannot be reelected within one year after a term ends unless every trustee present and voting agrees. A trustee can be removed at any time by a two-thirds vote of the other trustees. Officers are automatic (ex officio) board members and can vote. The board must meet at least once a year in the Capitol of the United States. Other meetings happen when the chairman decides, and a meeting must follow the bylaws or 30 days’ written notice. The corporation’s officers are a president, five vice presidents, a treasurer, and a secretary. The president is the chief executive officer. Officers are elected every year by the board and serve as long as the board wants. Their duties are the normal duties of those jobs and any extra tasks the board gives them. The board may pay officers and reimburse their actual expenses. The board may hire an executive secretary and other staff, set their pay and duties, and they serve as long as the board wants.

Full Legal Text

Title 36, §220304

Patriotic and National Observances — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)The board of trustees is the governing body of the corporation. The board is responsible for the control of all funds and affairs of the corporation.
(2)Exclusive of ex officio and honorary members, the board shall consist of at least 12 but not more than 40 trustees, one of whom shall be elected chairman. Trustees shall be elected by the board of trustees for a term of 4 years. A trustee may not be reelected as a trustee within one year of the expiration of the prior term, except by the unanimous vote of the trustees present and voting. A trustee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a two-thirds vote of the other trustees.
(3)The officers of the corporation are ex officio members of the board with all the rights and privileges of trustees, including the right to vote.
(4)The board shall meet at least once a year in the Capitol of the United States. The board may meet at other times as decided by the chairman. A meeting may be held only at a time and place stated in the bylaws or on 30 days’ written notice.
(b)(1)The officers of the corporation are a president, 5 vice presidents, a treasurer, and a secretary. The president is the chief executive officer.
(2)The officers shall be elected annually by the board of trustees and continue in office at the pleasure of the board.
(3)The duties of the officers are the usual duties pertaining to their offices and any additional duties delegated by the board.
(4)Officers may be compensated for their services, and reimbursed for actual expenses, in amounts decided by the board.
(c)The board of trustees may employ an executive secretary and other personnel needed to assist the board and the officers to carry out the activities of the corporation. Employees serve at the pleasure of the board. The board shall prescribe the compensation and duties of employees.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 220304(a)(1)36:1207(a) (1st–21st words).Oct. 20, 1978, Pub. L. 95–493, §§ 7, 8, 92 Stat. 1645. 220304(a)(2)36:1207(a) (22d–last words), (b), (d). 220304(a)(3)36:1208(b) (1st sentence). 220304(a)(4)36:1207(c). 220304(b)(1)36:1208(a). 220304(b)(2)36:1208(c). 220304(b)(3)36:1208(d). 220304(b)(4)36:1208(b) (last sentence). 220304(c)36:1208(e). In this section, the word “active” is omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (a)(1), the words “The board of trustees is the governing body of the corporation” are added for clarity and consistency in the revised title. The words “is responsible for” are substituted for “shall be vested in” for consistency in the revised title. The word “management” is omitted as included in “control”. In subsection (a)(3), the words “During their respective terms of office” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (a)(4), the words “at Washington, District of Columbia” and “in advance of any such meeting” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (b)(4), the words “other remuneration” as [sic] are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (c), the word “activities” is substituted for “programs and business” to eliminate unnecessary words.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

36 U.S.C. § 220304

Title 36Patriotic and National Observances

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60