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 27: 1993

Box 102

Folder 1: 93-1016: Garnet Morse v. Donna Shalala, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1 of 2): 12 F.3d 812 (8th Cir. 1993)
Folder 2: 93-1016: Garnet Morse v. Donna Shalala, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2 of 2)
Folder 3: 93-1064: Ronnie Barr v. Paul Delo, et al.: 5 F.3d 531 (8th Cir. 1993)
Folder 4: 93-1066: Marilyn Carter v. Donna Shalala, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Folder 5: 93-1076: G.T. Contractors, Inc. v. National Union Fire Insurance Co.
Folder 6: 93-1105: Robert Schone v. James Purkett: 15 F.3d 785 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 7: 93-1144: USA v. Gregory Joseph Welna: 998 F.2d 599 (8th Cir. 1993)
Folder 8: 93-1149: Joan Budden, et al. v. USA (1 of 2): 15 F.3d 1444 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 9: 93-1149: Joan Budden, et al. v. USA (2 of 2)
Folder 10: 93-1170, 93-1172, and 93-1215: Will E. Clark and James Miller v. Bill Armontrout, Warden, et al. (1 of 2): 28 F.3d 71 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 11: 93-1170, 93-1172, and 93-1215: Will E. Clark and James Miller v. Bill Armontrout, Warden, et al. (2 of 2)
Folder 12: 93-1229: Mary Davis v. Donna Shalala, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Folder 13: 93-1241: USA v.Paul D. Jenkins: 7 F.3d 803 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 14: 93-2148: The Good News/Good Sports Club, etc., et al. v. School District of the City of Ladue, etc., et al. (1 of 2): 28 F.3d 1501 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 15: 93-2148: The Good News/Good Sports Club, etc., et al. v. School District of the City of Ladue, etc., et al. (2 of 2)
Folder 16: 93-2185, 93-2264, and 93-2266: Resolution Trust Corporation v. A.P. Eason, Jr., Rex A. Smith, et al.
Folder 17: 93-2199 and 93-2280: Susan Feibelman v. Worthen National Bank: 20 F.3d 835 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 18: 93-2218: Sherri Finley v. State of Missouri: 28 F.3d 782 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 19: 93-2260: Mid-American Cellular Telephone Co. v. Barclay Robert Goodwin, Jr., et al.
Folder 20: 93-2273 and 93-2465: Daniel McVey, Dan McVey Mechanical Services, Inc. v. Novar Controls Corporation
Folder 21: 93-2284: Carl Bandy v. Donna Shalala, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Folder 22: 93-2318: Dewayne Hulsey v. Willis Sargent, the State of Nebraska, and the State of Missouri: 15 F.3d 115 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 23: 93-2328: National Super Markets, Inc. v. Tucker Housewares, Inc., et al.
Folder 24: 93-2385 and 93-2534: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation v. Richard Prusia: 18 F.3d 637 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 25: 93-1259 and 93-1260: Reliance Insurance Company of Illinois v. Car J. Weis, Jr., et al.
Folder 26: 93-1293: Don C. Williams v. Ford Motor Company: 14 F.3d 1305 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 27: 93-1408 and 93-1731: Maxine Ehrhardt v. Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company v. David Dempsey, etc., et al.: 21 F.3d 266 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 28: 93-1428: Polytech, Inc. v. Affiliated FM Insurance Company: 21 F.3d 271 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 29: 93-1631: In Re: USA Inns of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Claude Jones v. USA: 9 F.3d 680 (8th Cir. 1993)
Folder 30: 93-1854: USA v. James Edward Osment: 13 F.3d 1240 (8th Cir. 1994)

Box 103

Folder 1: 93-1873 and 93-1891: Setco Enterprises v. Denzil Robbins and Roberta Robbins: 19 F.3d 1278 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 2: 93-1935, 93-2005, 93-2006, and 93-2007: USA v. Rodney Alexander, et al.
Folder 3: 93-1958: USA v. James Simpson: 7 F.3d 813 (8th Cir. 1993)
Folder 4: 93-1967: Mogretta McGee v. Pete Funderburg, etc.: 17 F.3d 1122 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 5: 93-1978: Brian Gwartz, M.D. v. Jefferson Memorial Hospital Association: 23 F.3d 1426 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 6: 93-1987: Sou-Hsiung Jack Chiu v. Amy Kam-Ling Wong: 16 F.3d 306 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 7: 93-2102: Phyllis and Overton Stafford v. Intrav, Inc., et al.: 16 F.3d 1228 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 8: 93-2107: Ruthie Mance v. Donna Shalala, Department of Health and Human Services: 16 F.3d 1228 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 9: 93-2129 and 93-2582: Whetzal v. L.D. Anderson: 32 F.3d 1302 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 10: 93-2420: Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota v. Donna Shalala, Department of Health and Human Services: 53 F.3d 940 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 11: 93-2422: Lane Processing Trust, et al. v. USA
Folder 12: 93-2479: Metropolitan Express Services, Inc. v. City of Kansas City, et al.: 23 F.3d 1367 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 13: 93-2602: USA v. Roger Reetz: 18 F.3d 595 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 14: 93-2610; USA v. Larry Alan Blakemore
Folder 15: 93-2683, 93-2788, 93-3026, and 93-3028: TCBY Systems, Inc. v. RSP Company, Inc., Clarence Paulson and Randy Paulson: 33 F.3d 925 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 16: 93-2695: Donna Jayne Simmons v. State of Iowa: 28 F.3d 1478 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 17: 93-2725: Joseph Rogers and Merlyn Rogers v. Federal Express Corporation: 20 F.3d 902 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 18: 93-2748: Charles Sherman v. Curators of the University of Missouri: 16 F.3d 860 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 19: 93-2787: USA v. Aubrey McNeely, Sr. and 93-2972: USA v. Royce Lee Fowler: 20 F.3d 886 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 20: 93-2812: H.E.L.P. Foundation, etc., et al. v. Shimadzu Corporation, etc.
Folder 21: 93-2815: William Case v. RPM, Inc.: 19 F.3d 23 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 22: 93-2818: USA v. Robert Melvin Volanty: 16 F.3d 1229 (8th Cir. 1993)
Folder 23: 93-2851: USA v. Joseph Pinson: 24 F.3d 1056 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 24: 93-2852, 93-3068, and 93-3069: USA v. Terrance Griffin, et al.: 17 F.3d 269 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 25: 93-2922: Steven Parkus v. Paul Delo (1 of 2): 33 F.3d 933 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 26: 93-2922: Steven Parkus v. Paul Delo (2 of 2)
Folder 27: 93-2943: Lloyd Gilbert Offutt v. Crispus Nix, Warden
Folder 28: 93-2947: Glendale More, Jr. v. State of Iowa: 16 F.3d 1228 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 29: 93-2950: Larry Moutray v. Michael Groose, etc., et al.: 21 F.3d 432 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 30: 93-2963: Thomas Egan v. Wells Fargo Alarm Services aka Baker Protective Services, Inc.: 23 F.3d 1444 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 31: 93-2970: USA v. Gregory Bloomfield aka Earl Marcum Johnson (1 of 2): 40 F.3d 910 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 32: 93-2970: USA v. Gregory Bloomfield aka Earl Marcum Johnson (2 of 2)
Folder 33: 93-3025: USA v. Derrick Campbell: 12 F.3d 147 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 34: 93-3055: Frederick Davidson v. Charles Harris, C.O.I., et al.: 30 F.3d 963 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 35: 93-3080: USA v. Loren Welsand: 23 F.3d 205 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 36: 93-3153: James B. Nutter & Company v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.
Folder 37: 93-3177: USA v. John Roach and 93-3197: USA v. Pamela Hester: 28 F.3d 729 (8th Cir. 1994)

Box 104

Folder 1: 93-3248: Linda Kahn v. Farrell Kahn: 21 F.3d 859 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 2: 93-3255: Burdell McCall v. Paul Delo, Warden: 31 F.3d 750 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 3: 93-3279: Gregory Foster, et al. v. General Motors Corporation: 20 F.3d 838 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 4: 93-3300: Wanda J. Miller v. Marvin T. Runyon, U.S. Postmaster General: 32 F.3d 386 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 5: 93-3341: USA v. Shaun Renell Hudson
Folder 6: 93-3398: First Guarantor Securities, Inc., and Joseph Philip Spallo v. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Folder 7: 93-3405: Ricky Durham v. Gary Henman, Warden: 26 F.3d 126 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 8: 93-3454: Kristofer Sorenson and Katrina Sorenson v. Shaklee Corporation, et al. (1 of 2): 31 F.3d 638 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 9: 93-3454: Kristofer Sorenson and Katrina Sorenson v. Shaklee Corporation, et al. (2 of 2)
Folder 10: 93-3457: John Neylon, et al. v. Lake Superior School, etc., et al.
Folder 11: 93-3458: USA v. Eugene Thomas Blanc: 24 F.3d 1029 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 12: 93-3460: Timothy Cox v. Superintendent
Folder 13: 93-3493: USA v. Ronald Harvey Howell: 31 F.3d 740 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 14: 93-3515: Paul Masco v. Jim Gee: 24 F.3d 1037 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 15: 93-3553 and 95-1442: Robert Lee Rowden v. U.S. Social Security Administration
Folder 16: 93-3574: USA v. Mark Wayne Tovy
Folder 17: 93-3624: Lonnie Snelling v. State of Missouri: 26 F.3d 127 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 18: 93-3640: William Gregory v. Danny Russell, Danny Hallett, and John Rhone: 26 F.3d 126 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 19: 93-3650: USA v. Charles Bruce Nabors and Craig Scott Keltner
Folder 20: 93-3651: USA v. John Ecker: 30 F.3d 966 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 21: 93-3654: Leroy Peterson v. Richard Fisher
Folder 22: 93-3707: Randall Myers, Debora Myers, David Jenks, et al. v. Moore Engineering, Inc. and the City of West Fargo: 42 F.3d 452 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 23: 93-3739: Mitchell Bounds v. Bell Atlantic Enterprises Flexible Long Term Disability Plan: 32 F.3d 337 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 24: 93-3758: James Barnard v. Jackson County, Missouri: 43 F.3d 1218 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 25: 93-3794: USA v. Jimmy Hogan: 25 F.3d 690 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 26: 93-3861: Benjamin Leland McGee v. Paul Revere Life Insurance Company
Folder 27: 93-3867: Aiman Ghattas v. USA: 40 F.3d 281 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 28: 93-3874 and 93-3971: Bill and Juanita Jackson v. Swift Eckrich, Inc.: 53 F.3d 335 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 29: 93-3976 and 93-3978: USA v. Curtis Jackson and Nina Donaldson: 29 F.3d 397 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 30: 93-3990: Unigroup, Inc. v. Barton Winokur
Folder 31: 93-4086 and 93-4087: Collegiate Directories, Inc. v. Clell Wade Coaches Directories, Inc., Thomas Rauch, etc.
Folder 32: 93-4121, 93-4123, 93-4124, 93-4128, and 93-4131: Thomas McCuskey, Trustee v. Central Trailer Services, et al.: 37 F.3d 1329 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 33: 93-4133: USA v. Gregory Bilyk: 29 F.3d 459 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 34: 93-4138: Michael Verville v. Donna Shalala, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Folder 35: 93-50168: USA v. Jonathan Laird McDonald (9th Circuit): 21 F.3d 1117 (9th Cir. 1994)
Folder 36: 93-50241: USA v. Urbano Moran Lopez (9th Circuit)
Folder 37: 93-50363: USA v. Guillermo Soloranzo-Barba (9th Circuit): 24 F.3d 252 (9th Cir. 1994)
Folder 38: 93-50411 and 93-50440: USA v. Rosario Montoya and Filiberto Montoya (9th Circuit)
Folder 39: 93-50473: USA v. Richard Bombela (9th Circuit)
Folder 40: 93-50506: USA v. Maria Luisa Jimenez aka Maria Rumbo-Lopez (9th Circuit)

Box 105

Folder 1: 93-50547: USA v. Raul Fernandez Berdugo-Arana (9th Circuit): 21 F.3d 1116 (9th Cir. 1994)
Folder 2: 93-55766: Charles Bland, Jr. v. California Department of Corrections, et al. (9th Circuit): 20 F.3d 1469 (9th Cir. 1994)
Folder 3: 93-1159: Frederic Raymond, J.A. Morrison, et al. v. Mobil Oil Corporation (10th Circuit): 7 F.3d 184 (10th Cir. 1993)
Folder 4: 93-3232, 93-3249, 94-3115 and 94-3130: Sam Walters, D.C. v. Monarch Life Insurance Company (10th Circuit): 57 F.3d 899 (10th Cir. 1995)
Folder 5: 93-4208 and 93-4221: Cannon Industries, Inc. v. Armco Steel Company and AK Management Corporation (10th Circuit): 52 F.3d 337 (10th Cir. 1995)
Folder 6: 93-5277: Susan Rohrbaugh, Barbara Ann Clay, and Debra Mae Ambler v. The Celotex Corporation and Owens-Corning Fiberglass Corporation (10th Circuit): 53 F.3d 1181 (10th Cir. 1995)

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