MN SF3007

The American Legion was chartered by Congress on September 16, 1919, and restricts membership to veterans who served at least one day of active duty during a congressionally-defined period of wartime.

Rural Legion posts have experienced significant membership declines partly due to the wartime service restriction, and there is broad support among Legion members to expand eligibility to all veterans.

Legion leadership has declined to expand membership eligibility due to concerns about the authorization limits in the Congressional charter.

Minnesota's Legislature urges the President and Congress to amend the American Legion charter to authorize membership for all veterans.

The Minnesota Secretary of State is directed to transmit copies of this memorial to federal leadership, congressional committees on veterans affairs, Minnesota's congressional delegation, and the national American Legion Commander.