Myron H. Bright Papers, 1968-2016

Myron H. Bright Papers

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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 36: 2002

Box 133

Folder 1: 02-1046: Martha Glover v. Jo Anne Barnhart
Folder 2: 02-1048: Margaret Vaughn and Kevin Vaughan v. Sutton Ruoff: 304 F.3d 793 (8th Cir. 2002)
Folder 3: 02-1213: USA v. Cassie Patterson: 315 F.3d 1044 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 4: 02-2408: Dr. Genick Bar-Meir v. North American Die Casting Association
Folder 5: 02-1298: Dorman Hartley v. Dillards, Inc.: 310 F.3d 1054 (8th Cir. 2002)
Folder 6: 02-1456: National Labor Relations Board v. Hardesty Company, Inc.: 308 F.3d 859 (8th Cir. 2002)
Folder 7: 02-1742: USA v. Audra Gettler
Folder 8: 02-1757: USA v. Keith Nelson: 347 F.3d 701 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 9: 02-1944: Pure Country, Inc. v. Sigma Chi Fraternity: 312 F.3d 952 (8th Cir. 2002)
Folder 10: 02-1962: Nash Finch Co. v. Rubloff Hastings: 341 F.3d 846 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 11: 02-2119: Modern Equipment Co. v. Continental Western: 355 F.3d 1125 (8th Cir. 2004)
Folder 12: 02-2225: Gilbert Copper v. Kevin Niemann
Folder 13: 02-2356: USA v. Shanki Walker
Folder 14: 02-2434: Sarah L. Jones v. Kraft Foods, Inc.
Folder 15: 02-2463: Erwin Eliazar Navarijo-Barrios v. John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General: 322 F.3d 561 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 16: 02-2468: Heartland Bank v. Heartland Home Finance, Inc.: 335 F.3d 810 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 17: 02-2593: USA v. Phillip LeClair: 338 F.3d 882 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 18: 02-2627: Donna Kudabeck and Steven Kudabeck v. The Kroger Co.: 338 F.3d 856 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 19: 02-2651: Donna Farfalla v. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company: 324 F.3d 971 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 20: 02-2661: Dr. Genick Bar-Meir v. North American Die Casting Association
Folder 21: 02-2841: Richard Landers v. National Railroad Passenger Corporation: 345 F.3d 669 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 22: 02-2990: Charles Rhines v. Douglas Weber: 346 F.3d 799 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 23: 02-2999 and 02-3342: Roger Manuel Brandao v. John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General
Folder 24: 02-3056: USA v. Eduardo Pelayo-Ruelas: 345 F.3d 589 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 25: 02-3124: USA v. Rogelio Preciado aka Emilio Mendoza-Valencia and 02-3431: USA v. Pablo Borges-Cano aka Jaimie Samorano: 336 F.3d 739 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 26: 02-3162: MHC Investment Co. v. Racom Corporation: 323 F.3d 620 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 27: 02-3238: USA v. Kou Yang: 345 F.3d 650 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 28: 02-3332: Charles Covey v. USA: 377 F.3d 903 (8th Cir. 2004)
Folder 29: 02-3352: USA v. Terry Lee Rains
Folder 30: 02-3380: USA v. Mingo Flores: 336 F.3d 760 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 31: 02-3888: USA v. Michael Alan Mooney - Drafts Folder 1: 401 F.3d 940 (8th Cir. 2005)
Folder 32: 02-3888: USA v. Michael Alan Mooney - Drafts Folder 2: 401 F.3d 940 (8th Cir. 2005)
Folder 33: 02-3888: USA v. Michael Alan Mooney - Drafts Folder 3: 401 F.3d 940 (8th Cir. 2005)
Folder 34: 02-3888: USA v. Michael Alan Mooney - Correspondence Folder 1: 401 F.3d 940 (8th Cir. 2005)

Box 134

Folder 1: 02-3388: USA v. Michael Alan Mooney - Correspondence Folder 2: 401 F.3d 940 (8th Cir. 2005)
Folder 2: 02-3388: USA v. Michael Alan Mooney - Correspondence Folder 3: 401 F.3d 940 (8th Cir. 2005)
Folder 3: 02-3388: USA v. Michael Alan Mooney - Correspondence Folder 4: 401 F.3d 940 (8th Cir. 2005)
Folder 4: 02-3388: USA v. Michael Alan Mooney - En Banc Votes: 401 F.3d 940 (8th Cir. 2005)
Folder 5: 02-3388: USA v. Michael Alan Mooney - Motions: 401 F.3d 940 (8th Cir. 2005)
Folder 6: 02-3388: USA v. Michael Alan Mooney - Bright's Notes: 401 F.3d 940 (8th Cir. 2005)
Folder 7: 02-3447: Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. v. Federal Insurance Company
Folder 8: 02-3569 and 02-3570: Jerry Wheeler v. Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission: 348 F.3d 744 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 9: 02-3584: USA v. Demon Echols: 346 F.3d 818 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 10: 02-3585: Eileen Simonson v. Trinity Regional Health System: 336 F.3d 706 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 11: 02-3601: Michael Slusarchuk v. Jon Hoff: 346 F.3d 1178 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 12: 02-3728 and 02-3739: USA v. Freddie Greger: 339 F.3d 666 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 13: 02-3745: Duane "Dewey" Anderson v. Independent School District No. 97: 354 F.3d 714 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 14: 02-3746: Northwest Bank and Trust Company v. First Illinois National Bank: 354 F.3d 721 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 15: 02-3814: USA v. Michael Len Orchard and 02-3895: USA v. Desmond Antony Pennicot
Folder 16: 02-3831: USA v. Armando Aguilar-Lopez: 329 F.3d 960 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 17: 02-3839: Kim L. Williams v. Jo Anne Barnhart
Folder 18: 02-3854: Carmen Lewis v. Jo Anne Barnhart: 353 F.3d 642 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 19: 02-3934: Alane King v. Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Co. (folder 1 of 2): 357 F.3d 840 (8th Cir. 2004)
Folder 20: 02-3934: Alane King v. Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Co. (folder 2 of 2)
Folder 21: 02-3961: Feliciano Flores Palomino v. John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General: 354 F.3d 942 (8th Cir. 2004)
Folder 22: 02-3971: USA v. Donroy Brings Plenty: 335 F.3d 732 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 23: 02-4015: USA v. Myron Woods: 346 F.3d 815 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 24: 02-4073: Maria Flores v. John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General: 354 F.3d 727 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 25: 02-4138: W. Richard Morgan v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue: 345 F.3d 563 (8th Cir. 2003)
Folder 26: 02-1580: Richard Vieth v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (3rd Circuit)
Folder 27: 02-1765: Freethought Society v. County of Chester (3rd Circuit): 334 F.3d 247 (3rd Cir. 2003)
Folder 28: 02-2078: In Re: Zenith Electronics Corporation (3rd Circuit): 329 F.3d 338 (3rd Cir. 2003)
Folder 29: 02-2241: Berg Chilling Systems, Inc. v. Hull Corp. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 30: 02-2313: USA v. Scott Cook: 329 F.3d 335 (3rd Cir. 2003)
Folder 31: 02-2340: USA v. Steven Bell (3rd Circuit)
Folder 32: 02-2591: National Labor Relations Board v. Lincoln Park Subacute and Rehab Center (3rd Circuit)

Box 135

Folder 1: 02-2601: John Shehee v. City of Wilmington (3rd Circuit)
Folder 2: 02-2609: M.A., a minor child, v. Voorhees Township Board of Education (3rd Circuit)
Folder 3: 02-2679 and 02-3488: Andrew Carney v. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 98 Pension Fund (3rd Circuit)
Folder 4: 02-2788: Para-Professional Law Clinic at Sci Graterford v. Jeffrey Beard, Secretary of Corrections of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, et al. (3rd Circuit): 334 F.3d 301 (3rd Cir. 2003
Folder 5: 02-2953: Andrzej Markowski v. John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General (3rd Circuit)
Folder 6: 02-2975: Intervest, Inc. v. Bloomberg, L.P., et al., v. Bear Stearns Co., Inc., et al. (3rd Circuit): 340 F.3d 144 (3rd Cir. 2003)
Folder 7: 02-2979: Salimata Sacko v. John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General (3rd Circuit)
Folder 8: 02-3395: Angelica Castaneda-Corona v. John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General (3rd Circuit)
Folder 9: 02-3921: USA v. Ken Coffie (3rd Circuit)
Folder 10: 02-1196: USA v. Julian Turner (6th Circuit): 324 F.3d 456 (6th Cir. 2003)
Folder 11: 02-2337 and 02-2338: Michigan Pork Producers Assocation, et al. v. Ann Veneman, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (6th Circuit): 348 F.3d 157 (6th Cir. 2003)
Folder 12: 02-10084: USA v. Dale Ward (9th Circuit)
Folder 13: 02-10134: USA v. Fernando Calderon-Flores (9th Circuit)
Folder 14: 02-16780: Charles Miller and Patricia Miller v. State of California Department of Social Services and Yuba County Human Services Agency (9th Circuit): 355 F.3d 1172 (9th Cir. 2004)
Folder 15: 02-17121: Joseph Gonzales v. Paul Anderson, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 16: 02-17136: Milton Eichacker v. Paul Revere Life Insurance Company and UNUM Provident (9th Circuit): 354 F.3d 1142 (9th Cir. 2004)
Folder 17: 02-17152: In Re: Cables and Accessories Inc., Debtor (9th Circuit)
Folder 18: 02-17160: Marcus McAnally v. Clark County, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 19: 02-17236: Jerome Feitelberg v. Merrill Lynch and Co., et al. (9th Circuit): 353 F.3d 765 (9th Cir. 2003)
Folder 20: 02-17474: Employers Teamsters Local Nos. 175 and 505, et al. v. Clorox Company, G. Craig Sullivan, et al. (9th Circuit): 353 F.3d 1125 (9th Cir. 2004)
Folder 21: 02-17508: Alan Mishler v. M. Ronald Avery, Jr. (9th Circuit)
Folder 22: 02-50114: USA v. Favio Ortega-Brito (9th Circuit): 311 F.3d 1136 (9th Cir. 2002)
Folder 23: 02-50635: USA v. Jason Kizzee, 03-50030: USA v. Errol Brown, and 03-50478: USA v. Reginald Dwight Butler (9th Circuit)
Folder 24: 02-56014: Pure Power! Inc. v. U.S. Postal Service and Glacier Metal Company (9th Circuit)
Folder 25: 02-56081: The Upper Deck Company v. Federal Insurance Company (9th Circuit): 358 F.3d 608 (9th Cir. 2004)
Folder 26: 02-56552: Francis Zambito v. Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. (9th Circuit)
Folder 27: 02-56722: Christopher Miller v. Yokohama Tire Corporation, et al. (9th Circuit): 358 F.3d 616 (9th Cir. 2004)
Folder 28: 02-57117: Frederick Jackson v. George Giurbino, Warden (9th Circuit): 364 F.3d 1002 (9th Cir. 2004)
Folder 29: 02-57121: Michael McDonald v. Roy Castro (9th Circuit)
Folder 30: 02-70002: Eduardo Dungea v. U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (9th Circuit)
Folder 31: 02-71118: Armando Cruz Aguilar v. U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (9th Circuit)
Folder 32: 02- 72392: Rafael Romeo Requena v. U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (9th Circuit)
Folder 33: 02-72562: Lazaro Mendoza-Caballero v. John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General (9th Circuit)
Folder 34: 02-73489: Luisine Avetisyan v. Alberto Gonzales, U.S. Attorney General (9th Circuit)
Folder 35: 02-74279: Sahak Dzhanszyan v. John Ashcroft, U.S. Attoney General (9th Circuit)
Folder 36: 02-74353: Miguel Diaz-Ordaz v. John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General (9th Circuit)
Folder 37: 02-74355: Plutarco Ramiro Becerra Navarrete v. Albert Gonzales, U.S. Attorney General (9th Circuit)
Folder 38: 02-10258: USA v. Cissy Cintron (11th Circuit)
Folder 39: 02-16940: Ricardo Arturo Sarmiento and Susana Maria Sarmiento v. U.S. Attorney General (11th Circuit)

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