Myron H. Bright Papers, 1968-2016

Myron H. Bright Papers

Printer-friendly |

Collection Overview

Title: Myron H. Bright Papers, 1968-2016

ID: OGLMC877

Primary Creator: Bright, Myron H. (1919-2016)

Extent: 190.0 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 07/18/1983. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Legal

Languages: English

Abstract

1919-2016; Judge on the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals from 1968 to 2016

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Myron H. Bright Papers consist of Bright's chambers papers, which include correspondence and memoranda between Judge Bright and other judges, memoranda from his law clerks, oral argument and conference notes, and draft and final versions of rulings. The legal citation is indicated for most cases.

Judge Bright’s notable rulings included:

-the Reserve Mining cases 514 F.2d 492 (8th Cir. 1975): These cases upheld the right of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate corporate pollution, a practice unheard of before the lawsuit. Materials from these cases are found in Series 7 (Boxes 7 and 8), as well as Series 9 (Box 20) and Series 10 (Box 23).

-Chapman v. Meier 372 F. Supp. 371 (D.N.D. 1974): This case regarded the legality of federal court ordered reapportionment of the North Dakota Legislature. Materials from the case are found in Series 8 (Box 14).

-Walker v. Lockhart 726 F.2d 1238 (8^th Cir. 1984): This case freed a wrongly imprisoned, death row inmate after 23 years of confinement in Arkansas. Materials from the case are found in Series 15 (Box 51).

Collection Historical Note

"Myron H. Bright, 97, died peacefully on December 12, 2016 at the Eventide Fargo Senior Living Facility surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Myron was born March 5, 1919 to Morris and Lena Bright in Eveleth, MN. He and his four siblings grew up in the hearty Iron Range of northern Minnesota. The Bright family was a staple of the Jewish community in the Iron Range and Myron has maintained a deep connection and close ties to the area throughout his life.

Myron attended Eveleth High School and graduated from Eveleth Junior College before going on to the University of Minnesota for his undergraduate and law degrees. His college days were interrupted by World War II, during which he honorably served his country as a Captain in the Army Air Corps, stationed in India.

He met Frances (Fritzie) Reisler in 1945 and they were married December 1946. After Myron’s graduation from law school, the couple moved to Fargo, ND in 1947 where they would make their home for the next 71 years. They were “partners” in every sense of the word until Fritzie’s death in October 2000. Myron and Fritzie were active members of the Fargo community and were involved in Democratic politics locally and state wide.

Myron joined the law firm of Wattam, Vogel and Vogel which became Wattam, Vogel, Vogel, Bright and Peterson and is now known as Vogel Law Firm. He had a 21 year career as a successful trial attorney, representing a variety of clients throughout North Dakota and Minnesota.

In 1968 Myron was appointed as an Appellate Judge on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals for the United States by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Over the course of his judicial career, he presided over more than 7,000 cases and authored more than 3,000 opinions. He was famous for his ground-breaking rulings in the field of civil rights and employment discrimination. Judge Bright complemented his judicial career with a strong involvement in legal education. His awards and accolades are too numerous to mention here. At his death he was the longest serving jurist on the Eighth Circuit.

Myron and Fritzie purchased what has come to be known as the “Little Brown Cottage” on Lake Melissa in Detroit Lakes, MN in 1968. From that date to the present it has become the perennial summer home for the entire Bright clan. Myron’s summers at the Lake were not to be interfered with and all who visited were welcomed to enjoy the full Bright family hospitality. He enjoyed golfing at the Detroit Lakes CC, tennis and most especially, walleye fishing with family and friends. He was fond of bird watching at the Lake and quite serious about tending to his bird feeders. He and Fritzie were accomplished Bridge and Cribbage players, often hosting their friends for games of cards.

When he wasn’t working or at the Lake, you could find Myron behind the pages of any newspaper, the New Yorker or a good book. His mind never stopped. He had an incredible memory and the astonishing ability to recall the smallest details of events that took place years ago. He was a friend to all he met and a gift of wisdom and advice to all those who knew him.

Myron loved and cherished his family. He referred to them as “the family,” using a formal tone, as if it were an official title. “The family” included not only his immediate one, but also the more than 100 law clerks who served him during his 48 years on the bench. He looked forward with great anticipation to the law clerk reunions, which were held every 5 years during his time as a judge.

He was known by many titles; Judge, Myron, Mike, Dad, Pops and Poppop. One of his most prized titles was “author,” having written and published his autobiography, Goodbye Mike, Hello Judge: My Journey for Justice in 2014. He was an avid sports fan; following the NDSU Bison, UND, the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins. He was a supporter of the arts; including the FM Symphony and FM Opera. He was the oldest member of Temple Beth El.

He is survived by his family who loved him dearly; daughter, Dinah (Christian) Golding of Fargo, ND; son, Joshua Bright of Excelsior, MN; grandchildren; Amy (Jim) Long of Fargo, ND, Sarianne (Brock) Dickson of Harwood, ND and Adam (Kimberly) Schultz of Shorewood, MN; great-grandchildren; William Bright, Connor James and Henry Elliot Long, Collins Frances and Maxum Brock Dickson; Mason Myron and Addison Marie Schultz; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Bright; parents, Morris and Lena Bright; brothers, Leo Bright, Roy Bright and Joe Bright; and sister, Mabel Bright Manfield."

Source: http://boulgerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/judge-myron-bright/

Subject/Index Terms

Legal

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Accruals:

Judge Bright made numerous additions:

May 1984 (84-1298); November 1985 (85-1424); May 1986 (85-1445); February 1988 (88-1581); August 1989 (89-1678); May 1990 (90-1698); September 1990; April 1991 (91-1745); October 1991 (91-1791); November 1992 (92-1851); October 1993 (93-1918); April 1995 (95-2012); November 1997 (97-2154); June 1999 (99-2359); August 1999 (99-2371); March 2000 (2000-2426); October 2001 (2001-2531); October 2002 (2002-2579); February 2003 (2003-2609); June 2005 (2005-2756); September 2006 (2006-2865); January 2009 (2009-2960); August 2009 (2009-2969); January 2012 (2012-3148); July 2014 (2014-3256); May 2016 (2016-3309); March 2017 (2017-3335).

The collection was closed until the death of Judge Myron Bright on December 12, 2016.

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: Myron Bright, Fargo, North Dakota

Acquisition Method: Donation; 83-1167

Related Publications: Goodbye Mike, Hello Judge: My Journey for Justice. by Myron H. Bright. Fargo: Institute for Regional Studies Press, 2014.

Preferred Citation: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections. Chester Fritz Library. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Processing Information: Processing of the collection began in 2022.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Biographical Material],
[Series 2: 1968],
[Series 3: 1969],
[Series 4: 1970],
[Series 5: 1971],
[Series 6: 1972],
[Series 7: 1973],
[Series 8: 1974],
[Series 9: 1975],
[Series 10: 1976],
[Series 11: 1977],
[Series 12: 1978],
[Series 13: 1979],
[Series 14: 1980],
[Series 15: 1981],
[Series 16: 1982],
[Series 17: 1983],
[Series 18: 1984],
[Series 19: 1985],
[Series 20: 1986],
[Series 21: 1987],
[Series 22: 1988],
[Series 23: 1989],
[Series 24: 1990],
[Series 25: 1991],
[Series 26: 1992],
[Series 27: 1993],
[Series 28: 1994],
[Series 29: 1995],
[Series 30: 1996],
[Series 31: 1997],
[Series 32: 1998],
[Series 33: 1999],
[Series 34: 2000],
[Series 35: 2001],
[Series 36: 2002],
[Series 37: 2003],
[Series 38: 2004],
[Series 39: 2005],
[Series 40: 2006],
[Series 41: 2007],
[Series 42: 2008],
[Series 43: 2009],
[Series 44: 2010],
[Series 45: 2011],
[Series 46: 2012],
[Series 47: 2013],
[Series 48: 2014],
[Series 49: 2015],
[Series 50: 2016],
[All]

Series 35: 2001

Box 131

Folder 8: 01-1021/01-1350: USA v. Jimenez-Villasenor and Flores-Romero
Folder 9: 01-1150: Westport Insurance Corporation v. Ronald Jay Bayer
Folder 10: 01-1154: Norvartia Consumer Health, Inc v. Johnson and Johnson-Merck Consumer Pharma. Co.: 290 F.3d 578 (3rd Cir. 2002)
Folder 11: 01-1158: Flashertys Arden Bowl, Inc. v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Folder 12: 01-1173: Comesco Finance Servicing Corp. v. North American Mortage Company
Folder 13: 01-1219: USA v. Robert St. Germain, Lawrence Laspina (2nd Circuit)
Folder 14: 01-1227: Patricia A. Siemer v. Donald Nangle
Folder 15: 01-1233: USA v. Gary Fama (2nd Circuit)
Folder 16: 01-1251: Mitchell Green c. Ameritrade, Inc.: 279 F.3d 590 (8th Cir. 2002)
Folder 17: 01-1526/2434: USA v. Lamont D. Hill
Folder 18: 01-1255: EFCO Corp. v. Aluma Systems USA, Inc.
Folder 19: 01-1272: USA v. John Robert Andis
Folder 20: 01-1303: Peter and Henrietta Heydon v. Mediaone of Southeast Michigan, Inc.
Folder 21: 01-1387: USA v. Josy Lee Johnson
Folder 22: 01-1396/1397: USA v. Guillermo Franco-Martinez, Saul Cirrillo-Davilla
Folder 23: 01-1421/1636/1638: First National Bank of Omaha v. Three Dimension Yatema Peoducts, Inc.: 289 F.3d 542 (8th Cir. 2002)
Folder 24: 01-1490: Frances Meaney v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 25: 01-1432: Roger Holmstrom v. Larry G. Massanari, Commissioner of the Social Security Administration: 270 F.3d 715 (8th Cir. 2001)
Folder 26: 01-1526 and 01-2434: USA v. Lamont Hill (3rd Circuit)
Folder 27: 01-1575: Edgar LaPerriere, Jr. v. Int’l Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America
Folder 28: 01-1594: USA v. Jeff Sweesy
Folder 29: 01-1646: USA v. Richard E. Finkley / 01-1891 USA v. William Halliburton (6th Circuit)
Folder 30: 01-1673: USA v. Alfredo Huerta Orozco: 272 F.3d 561 (8th Cir. 2001)
Folder 31: 01-1727: USA v. John W. Meyers Sr. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 32: 01-1766: J.A. Jones Environmental Services, Co. v. Horizontal Technologies, Inc.
Folder 33: 01-1798: USA v. Harry Lee Barber
Folder 34: 01-1832: USA v. Michael C. Hughes
Folder 35: 01-1854: USA v. Efrain Dussan
Folder 36: 01-2002: Audie Lynn Fox v. Sheryl Ramstad Hvass
Folder 37: 01-2005: Gaither E. Nichols v. Stephen D. Crawford, Dr.
Folder 38: 01-2009: James Russell Munson, Jr. v. Faulkner County, Ark.
Folder 39: 01-2143: Camilla Cox v. Commissioner of Social Security
Folder 40: 01-2010: Ronald Mark v. Christopher Artuz, Superintendent (2nd Circuit)
Folder 41: 01-2019: In re: United States Interactive Inc. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 42: 01-2145: Gary Barfield v. Arvindea Brar, M.D.
Folder 43: 01-2250: USA v. Victor Rojas Madrigal
Folder 44: 01-2331: USA v. Robert Gerard Schettler (3rd Circuit)
Folder 45: 01-2337: Daniel A. Human v. Larry Rowley
Folder 46: 01-2342: USA v. Shannan Hatcher
Folder 47: 01-2430: USA v. Frank Santiago Rivas-Gomez
Folder 48: 01-2390: Ricky Kearse v. James D. Moffett, Jr.: 311 F.3d 891 (8th Cir. 2002)
Folder 49: 01-2460: Patti M. Willard v. Jo Anne B. Barnhart
Folder 50: 01-2508: Frank John Stangel v. Johnson & Madigan, P.L.L.P.
Folder 51: 01-2534: Dr. Genick Bar-Meir v. North American Die Casting Association: No.C6-03-331
Folder 52: 01-2583: V. Boyd v. St. Paul Schools, Independent School District 625: 537 U.S. 841 (2002)
Folder 53: 01-2589: Richard A. Balderston, M.D. v. Medtromic Sofamor Danek, Inc. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 54: 01-2704: USA v. David Gelinas: 299 F.3d 978 (8th Cir. 2002)
Folder 55: 01-2766: Yvonne Dockery v. Dr. Stacy Leonard, et Al.
Folder 56: 01-2866: Michael Newhouse v. Ford Motor Co.
Folder 57: 01-2877: Michael Newhouse v. Ford Motor Co.
Folder 58: 01-2921: Bonnie J. Jensen v. William J. Henderson: 315 F.3d 854 (8th Cir. 2002)
Folder 59: 01-2925/3081: USA v. Altedias Maurice Campbell

Box 132

Folder 1: 01-2937/3086: USA v. Melroy Johnson, Sr.
Folder 2: 01-2974: Clayton S. Creek v. SD Dept. of Corrections
Folder 3: 01-2983: USA v. David Winslow Dunham
Folder 4: 01-3000: Geneva Proctor v. UNUM Life Insurance Company
Folder 5: 01-3031: Gerald G. Salitros v. Chrystler Corporation
Folder 6: 01-3078: Richard Dale Hoon v. State of Iowa
Folder 7: 01-3084: Wayne Nicolaison v. Frank Milczark
Folder 8: 01-3097: USA v. Mark Fuehrer
Folder 9: 01-3118: USA v. Norma Hernandez
Folder 10: 01-3129: USA v. Edward James Gleason, Jr.
Folder 11: 01-3177: USA v. Timothy Donald Koons
Folder 12: 01-3181/02-1016: Kimberly R. Smith v. BMW North America Inc.
Folder 13: 01-3193: Lori Teska v. Jessie Rasmussen
Folder 14: 01-3210: Scott Booth v. Sheryl Ramstad Hvass
Folder 15: 01-3228: PaineWebber, Inc. v. Alfred Cohen
Folder 16: 01-3270: USA v. Jedediah W. Regenwether
Folder 17: 01-3302/3930: USA v. Daniel Joseph Blahowski/ Michael Allen Francisco
Folder 18: 01-3365: USA v. Joseph Michael Scolaro
Folder 19: 01-3368: Byron Treats v. James Morgan: 308 F.3d 868 (8th Cir. 2002)
Folder 20: 01-3421: USA v. Aaron M Deroo: 304 F.3d 824 (8th Cir. 2002)
Folder 21: 01-3445: Dr. Genick Bar-Meir v. Na Die CastingAss'n, et al.
Folder 22: 01-3658: USA v. Russell E. Eggleston
Folder 23A: 01-3706: Jesus Carmona v. State of Minnesota
Folder 24: 01-3772: Kathleen M. Roche v. St. Luke's Shawnee Mission Health System, Inc.
Folder 25: 01-3809: USA v. Thomas P. Lalley
Folder 26: 01-3824: Luebertha Ingram v. Jo Anne B. Barnhart
Folder 27: 01-4025: American Opera Musical Theatre Co. v. NLRB
Folder 28: 01-4097: Jeffrey Thacker: Jessica Gallagher v. City of Columbus
Folder 29: 01-4146: Muncie Power Products, Inc. v. United Technologies Automotive Inc.
Folder 30: 01-4150: Joseph Rico v. Mary Leftridge-Byrd
Folder 31: 01-4193: Walter Sullivan v. Tedd Shimp
Folder 32: 01-5634: Robert Smith v. Larry Craven
Folder 33: 01-6109: EEOC v. Local 638 ETC, et al.
Folder 34: 01-6178: Hugo B. Luckett v. Lynne E. Derie: 290 F.3d 493 (2nd Cir. 2002)
Folder 35: 01-6288/6399: USA v. Krystal Layne & Wiliam Dick: 173 F.Supp.2d 765 (E.D. Tenn. 2001)
Folder 36: 01-6413: Bobby Andrews v. City of Cookeville
Folder 37: 01-7490: Richard T. Schweizer v. John H. & Urban S. Mulvehill, Esq.
Folder 38: 01-7522: Jean Johnson v. Law Firm of Brecher, et al., Dept. of Homeless Shelter
Folder 39: 01-7539: John & Kathleen Salvador v. Lake George Park Comm'n, et al. Martin Auffredou
Folder 40: 01-7555: Devorah Shabtai v. Community Medical Center
Folder 41: 01-7654: Fuchsberg& Fuchsberg v. Chicago Insurance Company: 300 F.3d 105 (2nd Cir. 2002)
Folder 42: 01-7907: Gabriel Gonzales v. New York Transit Authority
Folder 43: 01-7794: Harvey Kash v. Edward Manzello, A. Craig Purcell
Folder 44: 01-7964/7965: Thomas E. Loria v. Charles Gorman, et al. Dale Feor: 306 F.3d 1271 (2nd Cir. 2002)
Folder 45: 01-10087: USA v. Richard Finley: 301 F.3d 1000 (9th Cir. 2002)
Folder 46: 01-10144: USA v. Roberto Ambriz-Vasquez
Folder 47: 01-10430: USA v. Eric Congdon
Folder 48: 01-10462: USA v. Elmo Dill
Folder 49: 01-10669: USA v. Vince A. Auld
Folder 50: 01-12917: EEOC v. Joe’s Stone Crab, Inc.: 296 F.3d 1265 (11th Cir. 2002)
Folder 51: 01-13089: United Parcel Service of America, Inc. v. Lynn Strickland Tire
Folder 52: 01-14141: Michael E.A. Ford v. Robert Winston Brown, et al.: 319 F.3d 1302 (11th Cir. 2003)
Folder 53: 01-14475: Lararo Gonzales c. John Ashcroft
Folder 54: 01-15221: Michael Pendergast v. Anthony Newland, Warden
Folder 55: 01-15990: Donalto Daleymple v. Janet Reno: 334 F.3d 991 (11th Cir. 2003)
Folder 56: 01-16283: Couote Valley Band of Pomo Indians v. State of California
Folder 57: 01-16800: Lorenzo Crenshaw v. Department of Veteran Affairs
Folder 58: 01-17029: Marcell Mills, Jr. V. Gray Davis
Folder 59: 01-17144: Harry M. Weiss & Associates. P.C. v. Eric Nelson Auctioneering
Folder 60: 01-50139: USA v. Luis Antonio Zepeda-Armenta
Folder 61: 01-55175: Violet Smith v. All state Ins. Co.
Folder 62: 01-55708: Donald Smith v. Bill Lockyer
Folder 63: 01-55726: Russell Berens vs. Allstate Ins. Co.
Folder 64: 01-55942: Renee Poillon vs. Delta Family-Care
Folder 65: 01-56239: Eobert Parrish vs. Larry Small: 315 F.3d 1131 (9th Cir. 2003)
Folder 66: 01-56753: Thomas Garcia vs. Lucent Technologies Inc.
Folder 67: 01-71326: Ahmed Badr vs. John Ashcroft
Folder 68: 01-71426: Ana Zucel Sanchez-Rodriguez vs. John Ashcroft
Folder 69: 01-71447: Emil Ayed vs. INS
Folder 70: 01-71537: Regina Salta vs. INS
Folder 71: 01-71583: Peter Manarez vs. John Ashcroft
Folder 72: 01-71723: Chrisanta Nacorra vs. INS

Department of Special Collections
Digital Finding Aids