The Blinded Veterans Association traces its roots back to the end of World War II. BVA's forefathers were a group of veterans blinded during that conflict. In 1945, they met at Avon Old Farms Army Convalescent Hospital in Avon, Connecticut and founded the association. Thirteen years later, BVA received its Charter from the United States Congress.
The Blinded Veterans Association has worked to accomplish the mission expressed in our Congressional Charter ever since.
On August 27, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law an Act of the 85th Congress that formally incorporated the Blinded Veterans Association.
In addition to greater prestige, the Act made BVA eligible to participate in state funds for veterans' service work that were only available to Congressionally Chartered organizations.
Representative T. A. Thompson of Louisiana originally introduced the Bill to incorporate BVA on June 21, 1957. "The worthy efforts of the membership of the Blinded Veterans Association deserve no less than recognition by the Congress of the United States," he stated.
The Bill was passed by the House of Representatives on August 4, 1958 and approved by the Senate on August 18.
Much of the credit for BVA's success in achieving the charter status belongs to Irvin P. Schloss and Melvin J. Maas. Able assistance also came from William W. Thompson, who had just previously been appointed National Executive Director; Carleton F. Steep, then Secretary of the District of Columbia Regional Group; Kathern F. Gruber of BVA's National Advisory Committee; and John E. Mattingly, Past National President.
The newly elected National President at the time was Robert A. Bottenberg, current Treasurer of the South Texas Regional Group.
The Act of Congress making possible the charter listed by name and cited some 164 members of BVA, and is worded in such a way as to include all others who were members in good standing on the date of enactment, thus making the entire Association a "body corporate" in the eyes of the law.
The objects and purposes of the Corporation are set forth in the Act as follows:
1. To promote the welfare of the blinded veterans so that, notwithstanding their disabilities, they may take their rightful place in the community and work with their fellow citizens toward the creation of a peaceful world.
2. To preserve and strengthen a spirit of fellowship among blinded veterans so that they may give mutual aid and assistance to one another.
3. To maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom and to encourage loyalty to the Constitution of the United States and of the States in which they reside.
4. To be organized and operated as a corporation not for profit, no part of the income or assets of which shall inure to any of its members, directors, or officers, nor be distributed thereto otherwise than upon dissolution or final liquidation; and such corporation is organized and shall be operated for charitable, educational, patriotic, and civic improvement purposes.
Incorporation entitled BVA to the privileges and benefits, and subjected it to the limitations, previously designated by law upon similar nonprofit service organizations.
In essence, the charter advanced BVA from incorporation by the State of New York to recognition by the Congress, making it possible for BVA to carry on its activities more effectively on a broader scale. It established its base of operations in the Nation's Capital.
A piece in the September-October 1958 BVA Bulletin summarized as follows both the privileges as well as the responsibilities resulting from the charter:
"There is no question but what it also provides recognition by all of the States and gives BVA increased stature with other organizations. However, the Act is quite plain in stating that BVA shall be non-political in nature and cannot support any political party or candidate for public office. It can raise funds, hold property, pay salaries to its employees, and reimburse the expenses incurred by employees and elected officers. The charter further empowers BVA to contribute to the aid of those blinded as a result of service in the Armed Forces of the United States, and their widows and children. A report of the financial condition of BVA was to be made to Congress by March 1 of each year thereafter."
The foregoing information was compiled by Stuart Nelson, BVA Communications Coordinator, and contains material excerpted from the September-October 1958 issue of the BVA Bulletin.
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