EX-3.2 3 dex32.txt EXHIBIT 3.2 EXHIBIT 3.2 Amended 2/7/02 AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. ARTICLE I OFFICES Section 1.1 The registered office shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. Section 1.2 The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require. ARTICLE II MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS Section 2.1 All meetings of the shareholders for the election of directors shall be held in Montgomery County, State of Maryland, at such place as may be fixed from time to time by the board of directors or at such other place either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the board of directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. Meetings of shareholders for any other purpose may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated in the notice of the meetings or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Section 2.2 Annual shareholders' meetings shall be held on the second Tuesday of May of each year, or at such other time as may be designated by the board of directors, in the notice of the annual meeting, for the purpose of electing directors and considering such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Section 2.3 Written notice of the annual meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten days nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. -1- Section 2.4 The officer responsible for the Corporation's stock ledger shall prepare at least ten days before every shareholders' meeting a complete list of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address and number of shares registered in the name of each shareholder. The list shall be available for examination by any shareholder for any purposes germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours in the Office of the Corporate Secretary at the Corporation's Headquarters for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting. The list shall also be available at the shareholders' meeting for the inspection of any shareholders. Section 2.5 Written notice of a special meeting, stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting, not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting. Section 2.6 Business transacted at any special meeting of shareholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice. Section 2.7 The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the shareholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the shareholders, the shareholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. Section 2.8 When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation, a different vote is required in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Section 2.9 Each shareholder shall at every meeting of the shareholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such shareholder or such greater or lesser number of votes per share as may be fixed by or pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, but no proxy shall be voted on after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. -2- ARTICLE III DIRECTORS Section 3.1 Except as otherwise fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of the directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors but shall not be less than three. The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, shall be classified, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, as determined by the board of directors of the Corporation, one class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 1998, another class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 1999, and another class to be originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2000, with each class to hold office until its successor is elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders held in the third year following the year of their election. Advance notice of shareholder nominations for the election of directors shall be given in the manner provided in Section 3.13 of Article III of these Bylaws. Section 3.2 Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect directors under specified circumstances, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the board of directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the board of directors. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until such director's successor shall have been elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Subject to the rights of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect directors under specified circumstances, any director may be removed from office, with cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. -3- Section 3.3 The business of the Corporation shall be managed by its board of directors which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the shareholders. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 3.4 The board of directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware. Section 3.5 The first meeting of each newly elected board of directors shall be held at such time and place as shall be fixed by the vote of the shareholders at the annual meeting and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present. In the event of the failure of the shareholders to fix the time or place of such first meeting of the newly elected board of directors, or in the event such meeting is not held at the time and place so fixed by the shareholders, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the board of directors, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all of the directors. Section 3.6 Regular meetings of the board of directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the board. Section 3.7 Special meetings of the board may be called by the chairman of the board, the president, or the secretary on the written request of any two directors. Notice thereof stating the place, date and hour of the meeting shall be given to each director either by mail not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the meeting, by telephone or telegram not less than twenty-four (24) hours notice before the date of the meeting, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances. Section 3.8 At all meetings of the board of directors such number of directors as shall be not less than one-third of the total number of the full board of directors nor less than two shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the board of directors the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. Section 3.9 Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the board of directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the board or committee, as the case maybe, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee. -4- Section 3.10 The board of directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the Corporation, which, to the extent provided in the resolution, shall have and may exercise the powers of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; provided, in the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the board of directors. At all meetings of committees of the board of directors, such number of members shall be not less than one-half of the total number of the full committee nor less than two shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the members present at any committee meeting as which there is a quorum shall be the act of the committee, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. Section 3.11 Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the board of directors when required. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS Section 3.12 The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefore. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings. NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS Section 3.13 Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nominations for the election of directors may be made by the board of directors or a proxy committee appointed by the board of directors or by any shareholder entitled to vote in the election of directors. However, any shareholder entitled to vote in the election of directors at a meeting may nominate a director only if written notice of such shareholder's intent to make such nomination or nominations has been given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than (i) with respect to an election of directors at an annual meeting of shareholders, ninety days prior to -5- the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event thedate of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty days or delayed by more than sixty days from such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which notice of such meeting is first given to shareholders, and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of shareholders for the election of directors, the close of business on the seventh day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to shareholders. Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (b) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder; (d) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the board of directors; and (e) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected. The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL Section 3.14. Any shareholder entitled to vote in the election of directors and who meets the requirements of the proxy rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, may submit to the directors proposals to be considered for submission to the shareholders of the Corporation for their vote at the annual meeting of shareholders. The introduction of any shareholder proposal that the directors decide should be voted on by the shareholders of the Corporation, shall be made by notice in writing delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the secretary of the Corporation, and received by the secretary not less than ninety days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event the date of the annual meeting of shareholders is advanced more than thirty days or delayed by more than sixty days from such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to shareholders. Each such notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the proposal and the text of the proposal to be introduced; (b) the class and number of shares of stock held of record, owned beneficially and represented by proxy by such shareholder as of the record date for the meeting (if such date shall then have been made publicly available) and as of the date of such notice; and (c) a representation that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to introduce the proposal or proposals, specified in the notice. The Chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the introduction of any shareholder proposal not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure. -6- Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, the Corporation shall be under no obligation to include any shareholder proposal in its proxy statement materials if the board of directors reasonably believes that the proponent(s) thereof have not complied with Sections 13 and 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the Corporation shall not be required to include in its proxy statement materials any shareholder proposal not required to be included in its proxy materials in accordance with such Act, rules and regulations. ARTICLE IV NOTICES Section 4.1 Whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any director or shareholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by any means not prohibited by the provisions of the statutes, including by mail, electronic delivery (including through the internet or similar system) or other means. If given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or shareholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail, and if given by electronic delivery, such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when such electronic delivery is transmitted. Without limiting the foregoing, notice may be provided to directors by telecopier or telegram. Section 4.2 Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. ARTICLE V OFFICERS Section 5.1 The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a president, a secretary, a treasurer, and, if deemed necessary, expedient, or desirable by the board of directors, a chairman and/or a vice chairman of the board of directors, chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief legal officer, controller, one or more executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers and such other officers with such titles as the resolution of the board of directors choosing them shall designate. Except as may otherwise be provided in the resolution of the board of directors choosing him/her, no officer need be a director of the Corporation. Any number of offices may be held by the same person as the directors may determine. Section 5.2 Corporate officers shall be appointed at the first board of directors' meeting held after the annual shareholders' meeting and at such other meetings as the board may determine. -7- Section 5.3 Corporate officers shall serve for such terms and shall have such duties and powers as may be designated in the Bylaws or by the board of directors. Section 5.4 Corporate officers shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal from office. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Corporate officers may be removed at any time by majority vote of the board of directors. Vacancies in corporate offices may be filled by the board of directors. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Section 5.5 The chairman of the board shall preside at all meetings of shareholders and directors. THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Section 5.6 The vice-chairman of the board shall preside at meetings of shareholders and directors if the chairman of the board is absent or unable to serve as chairman at any such meeting. THE PRESIDENT Section 5.7 The president shall have general and active supervision of the business of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the board of directors are carried into effect and shall be responsible to the chairman, as well as to the board of directors for the execution of such duties and powers. The president shall, in the absence or inability to act of the chairman and vice-chairman of the board, assume and carry out all responsibilities set forth with respect to such chairman and vice-chairman. Section 5.8 He shall execute bonds, mortgages, and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the board of directors to some other officer or agent of the Corporation. THE VICE PRESIDENTS Section 5.9 Executive vice presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, and assistant vice presidents shall have duties and powers as the board of directors may designate. -8- THE SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARIES Section 5.10 The secretary shall attend all meetings of the board of directors and all meetings of the shareholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Corporation and of the board of directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. He shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and special meetings of the board of directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the board of directors or president, under whose supervision he shall be. He shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and he, or an assistant secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary. The board of directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature. Section 5.11 The assistant secretary, or if there be more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the board of directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe. THE TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS Section 5.12 The treasurer shall have the custody of the Corporate funds and securities and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the board of directors. Section 5.13 The treasurer shall have the authority to invest the normal funds of the Corporation in the purchase and acquisition and to sell and otherwise dispose of these investments upon such terms as he may deem desirable and advantageous, and shall, upon request, render to the president and the directors an accounting of all such normal investment transactions. Section 5.14 He shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the board of directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and the board of directors, at its regular meetings, or when the board of directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. Section 5.15 If required by the board of directors, he shall give the Corporation a bond (which shall be renewed every six years) in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the board of directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement, or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money, and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation. -9- Section 5.16 The assistant treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the board of directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the board of directors may from time to time prescribe. Section 5.17 The controller shall keep the Corporation's accounting records and shall prepare accounting reports of the operating results as required by the board of directors and governmental authorities. Section 5.18 The controller shall establish systems of internal control and accounting procedures for the protection of the Corporation's assets and funds. ARTICLE VI CERTIFICATES OF STOCK Section 6.1 The interest of holders of stock in the Corporation shall be evidenced by certificates for shares of stock in such form as the appropriate officers of the Corporation may from time to time prescribe; provided, that the board of directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that all or some of all classes or series of the stock of the Corporation shall be represented by uncertificated shares. Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the board of directors of the Corporation, every holder of stock represented by a certificate and upon request every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, the chairman or vice-chairman of the board of directors, or the president or a vice president, and by the secretary or an assistant secretary, or by the treasurer or an assistant treasurer of the Corporation, representing the number of shares owned by him in the Corporation registered in certificated form. All certificates shall also be signed by a transfer agent and by a registrar. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical. Section 6.2 All signatures which appear on the certificate may be facsimile including, without limitation, signatures of officers of the Corporation or the signatures of the stock transfer agent or registrar. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. -10- Section 6.3 If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the designations, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge, to each shareholder who so requests, the designations, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. LOST CERTIFICATES Section 6.4 The board of directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the board of directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed. TRANSFERS OF STOCK Section 6.5 The shares of the stock of the Corporation represented by certificates shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the holder thereof in person or by his attorney, upon surrender for cancellation of certificates for the same number of shares, with an assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require. Upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of uncertificated shares such uncertificated shares shall be canceled and issuance of new equivalent uncertificated shares or certificated shares shall be made to the person entitled thereto and the transaction shall be recorded upon the books of the Corporation. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the Corporation shall send or cause to be sent to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to Delaware Law or, unless otherwise provided by Delaware Law, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. -11- FIXING RECORD DATE Section 6.6 In order that the Corporation may determine the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion, or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other action. A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting. REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS Section 6.7 The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware. ARTICLE VII GENERAL PROVISIONS DIVIDENDS Section 7.1 Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation. Section 7.2 Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created. -12- ANNUAL STATEMENT Section 7.3 The board of directors shall present at each annual meeting and at any special meeting of the shareholders when called for by vote of the shareholders a full and clear statement of the business and condition of the Corporation. CHECKS Section 7.4 All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the board of directors may from time to time designate. FISCAL YEAR Section 7.5 The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors. SEAL Section 7.6 The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization, and the words "Corporate Seal, Delaware". The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, ETC. Section 7.7 (a) Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a "proceeding") (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (hereinafter an "indemnitee"), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged activity in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such proceeding; provided that, (i) except with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the -13- Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors, and (ii) such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person's conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person's conduct was unlawful. (b) The Corporation shall indemnify each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. (c) To the extent that a director, officer or employee of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 7.7, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. For purposes of determining the reasonableness of any such expenses, a certification to such effect by any member of the Bar of the State of Delaware, which member of the Bar may have acted as counsel to any such director, officer or employee, shall be binding upon the Corporation unless the Corporation establishes that the certification was made in bad faith. (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 7.7 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer or employee is proper in the circumstances because any such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 7.7. Such determination shall be made (i) by the board of directors, by a majority vote of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) if there are no such directors or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iii) by the shareholders. -14- (e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer, director or employee of the Corporation in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding, shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director, officer or employee to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that any such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized by this Section 7.7. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Corporation if a determination is reasonably and promptly made by a majority vote of those directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or, if there are no such directors or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that, based upon the facts known to such directors or counsel at the time such determination is made, such person acted in bad faith and in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such person had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this Section 7.7 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. (g) The Corporation may but shall not be required to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any capacity, or arising out of such person's status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this Section 7.7. The Corporation may create a trust fund, grant a security interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit) to ensure the payment of such sums as may become necessary to effect indemnification as provided herein. (h) For purposes of this Section 7.7, references to "the Corporation" shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees, so that any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Section 7.7 with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have had with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. -15- (i) For purposes of this Section 7.7, references to "other enterprises" shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the Corporation" shall include any service as a director, officer or employee of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer or employee with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation" as referred to in this Section 7.7. (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 7.7 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. (k) This Section 7.7 shall be interpreted and construed to accord, as a matter of right, to any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, the full measure of indemnification and advancement of expenses permitted by Section 145 of the Business Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. (l) Any costs incurred by any person in enforcing the provisions of this Section 7.7 shall be an indemnifiable expense in the same manner and to the same extent as other indemnifiable expenses under this Section 7.7. (m) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 shall have the effect of or be construed to limit or adversely affect any claim or right to indemnification or advancement of expenses made by any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of this Corporation with respect to any state of facts which existed prior to the date of such amendment, modification or repeal, whether or not the Corporation has been notified of such claim, or such right has been asserted, prior to such date. Accordingly, any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 shall be deemed to have prospective application only and shall not be applied retroactively. BOOKS AND RECORDS Section 7.8 No shareholder shall have any right of inspecting any account, or book, or paper or document of this Corporation, except as conferred by law or by resolution of the shareholders or directors. Section 7.9 The accounts, books, papers and documents of this Corporation shall be kept at the principal office of the Corporation in Montgomery County, Maryland or at such other place or places as may be required by law or designated by resolution of the shareholders or directors. -16- ARTICLE VIII BYLAW AMENDMENTS Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed at any regular meeting of the shareholders (or at any special meeting thereof duly called for that purpose) by a majority vote of the shares represented and entitled to vote at such meeting; provided that in the notice of such special meeting notice of such purpose shall be given. Subject to the laws of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws, the board of directors may by majority vote of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present amend these Bylaws, or enact such other Bylaws as in their judgment may be advisable for the regulation of the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, except that Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.13 of Article III and Articles VIII and IX of the Bylaws may be amended only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. ARTICLE IX SHAREHOLDER ACTION Any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders. Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, special meetings of shareholders of the Corporation may be called only by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the entire board of directors. END OF BYLAWS -17-