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: 0.0

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],
[All]

Series 23: 1989

Box 86

Folder 1: 89-1027: Edward Wayne Don v. Crispus C. Nix: 886 F.2d 203 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 2: 89-1039: USA v. Mark L. Shyres, et al. (1 of 2)
Folder 3: 89-1039: USA v. Mark L. Shyres, et al. (2 of 2)
Folder 4: 89-1063: Robert L. Endres v. Bill Armontrout
Folder 5: 89-1071: Larry F. Hawkins Sr. v. Gerald Higgins: 898 F.2d 1365 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 6: 89-1102: USA v. Milton John Rockman
Folder 7: 89-1131: USA v. William Bowers
Folder 8: 89-1137: USA v. James Scott Dawes: 890 F.2d 1437 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 9: 89-1152: USA v. Marcus Goebel: 898 F.2d 675 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 10: 89-1210: Melvin W. Dukes v. A.L. Lockhart, Director, Arkansas Department of Correction
Folder 11: 89-1216: Parick H. Dickens, et al v. The State of Missouri, et al: 887 F.2d 895 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 12: 89-1217: Charles R. Hefti, et al v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue: 899 F.2d 709 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 13: 89-1226 and 89-1445: Gary L. Blankenship, et al v. Frank O. Gunter, et al and Roy K. Lyman v. Bob Benson, et al: 898 F.2d 625 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 14: 89-1229: USA v. Alfred R. Kuennen: 901 F.2d 103 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 15: 89-1250: Bob Douglas v. Louis W. Sullivan, Secretary of Health and Human Services
Folder 16: 89-1285: Bonnie Reynolds v. Louis W. Sullivan, Secreary of Health and Human Services
Folder 17: 89-1291: USA v. Migel Cardenas: 896 F.2d 317 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 18: 89-1302: Charles and Marion Hefti v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue: 899 F.2d 709 (8th Cir. 1990)see: 89-1217
Folder 19: 89-1333: USA v. Anthony Patrick Freeman: 897 F.2d 346 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 20: 89-1335: USA v. Luis Mario Rosario, et al: 897 F.2d 1457 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 21: 89-1376: Robert L. Toney v. Bill Armontrout
Folder 22: 89-1532: USA v. Paul Wright
Folder 23: 89-1550: USA v. Roberta J. Ortega: 886 F.2d 1062 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 24: 89-1583: USA v. Tomas Roger Tourville
Folder 25: 89-1614 and 89-1615: USA v. W. Dale Snover, et al and USA v. Mary A. Snover, et al: 900 F.2d 1207 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 26: 89-1661: US EPA v. City of Green Forest, et al: 921 F.2d 1394 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 27: 89-1808: National Labor Relations Board v. Sioux City Stockyards: 901 F.2d 669 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 28: 89-1873: Robert J. Birnstill, et al v. Home Savings of America: 907 F.2d 795 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 29: 89-1919: Debra Henne, et al v. Greg F. Wright, et al: 904 F.2d 1208 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 30: 89-1945: Percy Green II v. St. Louis Housing Authority, et al: 911 F.2d 65 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 31: 89-1974: Richard Evan Wright, et al v. Jim Jones, et al: 907 F.2d 848 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 32: 89-1978: Aaron R. Stull, et al v. Fuqua Industries, Inc.: 906 F.2d 1271 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 33: 89-1982: USA v. John T. Martin

Box 87

Folder 1: 89-2013: Kenneh Jones v. State of Arkansas: 929 F.2d 375 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 2: 89-2035: Finch Equipment Corporation, etc v. Robert Frieden, et al: 901 F.2d 665 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 3: 89-2045: Billy Tyler v. Barton O. Gunter, et al: 901 F.2d 689 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 4: 89-2059: Lee Scott v. Paul James, et al: 902 F.2d 672 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 5: 89-2074: Charles Murray v. Gerald Leyshock: 915 F.2d 1196 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 6: 89-2077: Freda Sill v. Shiley, Inc.: 909 F.2d 508 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 7: 89-2085: Suzanne Edwards v. A.L. Lockhart, Superintendent: 908 F.2d 299 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 8: 89-2093: USA v. Rodney Calkins: 906 F.2d 1240 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 9: 89-2150: Carol Davis v. City of Charleston, et al: 917 F.2d 1502 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 10: 89-2215: Deborah Edwards v. United States Postal Service, et al: 909 F.2d 320 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 11: 89-2237: USA v. James Williams Jr.: 902 F.2d 675 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 12: 89-2247: David Bainter v. Myrna Trickey: 932 F.2d 713 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 13: 89-2317: USA v. Douglas Dobynes: 905 F.2d 1192 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 14: 89-2338: Antonio Evans v. Denis Dowd: 932 F.2d 739 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 15: 89-2343: GSX Corporation of Missouri v. National Labor Relations Board: 918 F.2d 1351 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 16: 89-2346: Alma Young v. Burton Lusenhop
Folder 17: 89-2376: American Cyanamid Company, et al v. Steven Feher, et al
Folder 18: 89-2380: Schultz Broadway Inn v. USA (1 of 2): 912 F.2d 230 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 19: 89-2380: Schultz Broadway Inn v. USA (2 of 2): 912 F.2d 230 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 20: 89-2382: Unifirst Federal Savings Bank v. The American Insurance Company, et al: 905 F.2d 208 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 21: 89-2396: USA v. Tim Moore: 911 F.2d 140 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 22: 89-2471: USA v. Dell Hester, etc: 917 F.2d 1083 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 23: 89-2476: Eclophia Smith Jr v. James Marcantonio, et al: 910 F.2d 500 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 24: 89-2504: USA v. David Earl
Folder 25: 89-2539: USA v. Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., etc
Folder 26: 89-2579: USA v. Gerald Carroll: 908 F.2d 340 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 27: 89-2602: USA v. Martin Lawrence: 918 F.2d 68 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 28: 89-2616: James Timm, et al v. Frank Gunter, et al: 917 F.2d 1093 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 29: 89-2621: USA v. Troy Yerks, etc: 918 F.2d 1371 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 30: 89-2674: USA v. Mark Bolton
Folder 31: 89-2736: USA v. Daniel Stevens: 918 F.2d 1383 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 32: 89-2748: Raymond Smith v. Mr. Jenkins, et al: 919 F.2d 90 (8th Cir. 1991)

Box 88

Folder 1: 89-2756: Percy McSpadden, etc v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
Folder 2: 89-2764: Terry Porter v. A.L. Lockhart, Director, Arkansas Department of Correction: 925 F.2d 1107 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 3: 89-2803: Michael Lee Smith v. A.L. Lockhart, Director, Arkansas Department of Correction: 923 F.2d 1314 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 4: 89-2808: USA v. Darnell Sydney Boult: 905 F.2d 1137 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 5: 89-2911/2912/2913/2914: Willie Oden, et al v. Louis W. Sullivan: 923 F.2d 857 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 6: 89-2945: John Doe, et al v. Pall Dee Human, et al
Folder 7: 89-2969: Billy J. Edgemon v. A.L. Lockhart, Director, Arkansas Department of Correction: 924 F.2d 126 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 8: 89-3080: USA v. John Ruklick: 919 F.2d 95 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 9: 89-5010: USA v. Timothy John O'Meara: 895 F.2d 1216 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 10: 89-5056: USA v. Donald Thomas
Folder 11: 89-5084: USA v. Rodney Duane Weddell: 890 F.2d 106 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 12: 89-5096: USA v. Daniel Conners
Folder 13: 89-5142: USA v. Darla June Yellow Earrings: 891 F.2d 650 (8th Cir. 1989)
Folder 14: 89-5192: Defenders of Wildlife v. Manuel Lujan: 911 F.2d 117 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 15: 89-5200: Anoka Orthopaedic Associates, et al v. Edward Lechner, et al: 910 F.2d 514 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 16: 89-5261: David Morris v. Barkbuster Inc., et al: 923 F.2d 1277 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 17: 89-5308: Alice Hable v. Peter Pairoler, et al: 915 F.2d 394 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 18: 89-5310: L.A. Newgard, etc. v. USA
Folder 19: 89-5332: Devils Lake Sioux Tribe v. State of North Dakota, et al. (1 of 2): 917 F.2d 1049 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 20: 89-5332: Devils Lake Sioux Tribe v. State of North Dakota, et al. (2 of 2): 917 F.2d 1049 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 21: 89-5368: Barbara Paenaude v. City of Box Elder
Folder 22: 89-5381: Gibraltar Savings, et al v. Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company: 907 F.2d 844 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 23: 89-5391: Adolph Ilse v. Louise Sullivan, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
Folder 24: 89-5395: Fred Roberts v. Hughes Tool Company
Folder 25: 89-5405: Keene Corpoation v. Judge J.E. Cass, etc., et al: 908 F.2d 293 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 26: 89-5408: Edward Obenauer v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.: 908 F.2d 316 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 27: 89-5412: Virgil Carlson v. City of Minneapolis, Minnesota: 925 F.2d 264 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 28: 89-5450: USA v. Michael J. Crosby: 986 F.2d 1176 (8th Cir. 1993)
Folder 29: 89-5511: USA v. Al Zephier: 916 F.2d 1368 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 30: 89-5526: Northwest Racquet Swim and Health Clubs, Inc. v. Resolution Trust Corporation, etc., et al (1 of 2): 927 F.2d 355 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 31: 89-5526: Northwest Racquet Swim and Health Clubs, Inc. v. Resolution Trust Corporation, etc., et al (2 of 2): 927 F.2d 355 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 32: 89-5529: Daniel Paige, et al v. David Sandbulte: 917 F.2d 1108 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 33: 89-5533: Patty and James Kaiser v. Memorial Blood Center of Minneapolis: 938 F.2d 90 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 34: 89-5592: Keith Gulbranson v. Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway Company: 921 F.2d 139 (8th Cir. 1990)
Folder 35: 89-5614: Hull Company, et al v. Hauser's Foods, et al: 924 F.2d 777 (8th Cir. 1991)
Folder 36: 89-5616: John O. Irvine, et al. v. USA

Box 89

Folder 1: 89-5617: Peggy Brooks v. Human Services Agency and Russell Sunderland
Folder 2: 89-1175: Elizabeth Christensen etc., et al v. USA (10th Circuit)
Folder 3: 89-2269: Benny Bustamante, et al v. Albuquerque Police Department, et al (10th Circuit)
Folder 4: 89-3084: Koch Refining Company v. Exxon Corporation, et al (10th Circuit)
Folder 5: 89-3209: Terryl Gardner v. USA, et al (10th Circuit)
Folder 6: 89-3314: Kermit Lackey, et al v. Whitehall Corporation, et al (10th Circuit)
Folder 7: 89-4066: Robert Copier v. Utah Municipal Risk Management Association, et al (10th Circuit)
Folder 8: 89-4074: Gregory Nelson, et al v. St Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company (10th Circuit)
Folder 9: 89-5036: Unit Corporation v. Mellon Bank, etc. (10th Circuit)
Folder 10: 89-5056: Sidney Swinson v. Judy Pennington, et al (10th Circuit)
Folder 11: 89-5087: Steel & Pipe Supply Co., v. Houston and Klein, Inc., et al (10th Circuit)
Folder 12: 89-5166 and 89-5173 (10th Circuit): USA v. James David Thornburgh
Folder 13: 89-5033: Burger King Corporation v. Pilgrims Pride Corporation (11th Circuit)
Folder 14: 89-5293: Roger Dean Lewis v. Richard Dugger, Secretary, Department of Corrections, State of Florida (11th Circuit)
Folder 15: 89-5306: USA v. Henry Fayette (11th Circuit)
Folder 16: 89-5309: USA v. Hector Enrique Reyes-Vasquez (11th Circuit)
Folder 17: 89-5411: Lester Canady v. Louis Sullivan, Secretary of Health and Human Services (11th Circuit)

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