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36 U.S.C. 21701: OrganizationText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 36-PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES, CEREMONIES, AND ORGANIZATIONSCHAPTER 217-THE AMERICAN LEGION
Jump To: Source CreditHistorical and Revision Notes

§21701. Organization

(a)  Federal Charter.⁠—The American Legion (in this chapter, the “corporation”) is a federally chartered corporation.

(b)  Perpetual Existence.⁠—Except as otherwise provided, the corporation has perpetual existence.

( Pub. L. 105–225 , Aug. 12, 1998 , 112 Stat. 1297 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

21701(a)

36:41.

Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, §§ 1, 2, 41 Stat. 284.

 

36:42.

 

21701(b)

36:44 (words before 4th semicolon related to perpetual succession).

Sept. 16, 1919, ch. 59, § 4 (words before 4th semicolon related to perpetual succession), 41 Stat. 285; June 26, 1953, ch. 153, § 1, 67 Stat. 82.

This section is substituted for the source provisions for consistency in the revised title and to eliminate unnecessary and obsolete language.