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: 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 28: 1994

Box 105

Folder 7: 94-1026: USA v. William King, Jr.: 36 F.3d 728 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 8: 94-1061: USA v. Eric Moore, et al.
Folder 9: 94-1065: K.E.S. v. USA: 38 F.3d 1027 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 10: 94-1067: Ben Friedman v. BRW Inc., etc., et al.: 40 F.3d 293 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 11: 94-1223: Robert Heffernan v. Larry Norris, etc.
Folder 12: 94-1224: USA v. James Simpson: 37 F.3d 1502 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 13: 94-1297: USA v. Deangelo Bishop: 37 F.3d 1503 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 14: 94-1353: Bob Klein, et al. v. Arkoma Production Company, et al.
Folder 15: 94-1375: Courtney Wilkins v. David McPeak, et al.: 40 F.3d 954 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 16: 94-1393: Gateway Western Railway v. Morrison Metalweld Process Corp.
Folder 17: 94-1464: Sidney Weissman v. Congregation Shaare, et al.: 38 F.3d 1038 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 18: 94-1601/94-1753: Essco Geometrics, etc. v. Harvard Industries, etc.
Folder 19: 94-1729/94-1735/94-1836: USA v. Jose Garrido, et al.: 38 F.3d 981 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 20: 94-1762: Edward Shigemura v. Michael Groose
Folder 21: 94-1766: Elliott Harris Jr. v. Donna Shalala, etc.
Folder 22: 94-1813: Lana Anderson v. Bryan Goeke, etc.
Folder 23: 94-1873: Darrel Metz v. Donna Shalala
Folder 24: 94-1883: Donald Reynolds v. Walt Leapley, etc., et al.
Folder 25: 94-1966/94-1967: USA v. Anthony Molle
Folder 26: 94-1985: USA v. Michael Poplawski
Folder 27: 94-1997: Sylvia Bass v. Donna Shalala: 45 F.3d 433 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 28: 94-2041: William Ashley, Jr., et al. v. R.D. Columbia Associates, etc.
Folder 29: 94-2051: William Fleming v. Greater St. Louis Area Major Case Squad, et al.
Folder 30: 94-2110: Lorna Batterson v. Stanley Motley, et al.
Folder 31: 94-2122: Jeffrey Sloan v. Paul Delo (1 of 2)
Folder 32: 94-2122: Jeffrey Sloan v. Paul Delo (2 of 2)

Box 106

Folder 1: 94-2139: Educational Employees Credit Union, etc. v. Mutual Guaranty Corporation, etc.
Folder 2: 94-2165: Gerry Reece v. Michael Groose, et al.
Folder 3: 94-2169: Henry Nahrebeski v. Cincinnati Milacron Marketing Co.: 41 F.3d 1221 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 4: 94-2296: Virgil Bullock v. Larry Norris
Folder 5: 94-2415: Jerry Poe v. Paul Caspari: 39 F.3d 204 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 6: 94-2460: Shur-Value Stamps, Inc. v. Phillips Petroleum Co.
Folder 7: 94-2572/94-2802: USA v. David Greene: 41 F.3d 383 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 8: 94-2594: In re: Grand Jury Proceedings, Subpoenas for Documents: 41 F.3d 377 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 9: 94-2615: Levi West v. William Carson, etc., et al.
Folder 10: 94-2716/94-2978: Roxie Engle v. Eugene Townsley
Folder 11: 94-2794: National Automotive Trading Corporation of China, et al. v. Pioneer Trading Company, Inc., et al
Folder 12: 94-2868: National Automotive Trading Corporation v. David T.C. Hou, et al.
Folder 13: 94-2874: USA v. Cynthia Huff: 45 F.3d 434 (8th Cir. 1994)
Folder 14: 94-2884: USA v. Edward Boettger
Folder 15: 94-2887: The County of Boyd, etc., et al. v. US Ecology, Inc.
Folder 16: 94-2954: LaDonna Geddes v. Northwest Missouri State University, et al.
Folder 17: 94-2964: Nathaniel Hudson, et al. v. Paul Hedgepeth
Folder 18: 94-3042: Dennis Hall v. Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
Folder 19: 94-3070: Courtney Lovelace, et al. v. Paul Delo, et al.
Folder 20: 94-3094: Louise Sells v. Donna Shalala
Folder 21: 94-3139: Burton Woods v. Robert Schoenen, et al.
Folder 22: 94-3141: Freeman Henson v. Donna Shalala, etc.
Folder 23: 94-3171: James Rodden v. Paul Delo
Folder 24: 94-3189: John Cochrane v. Vaquero Investments, et al.
Folder 25: 94-3231: Kathleen Kirkeby, et al. v. Bruce Furness, etc., et al.
Folder 26: 94-3303: USA v. Martez Smith
Folder 27: 94-3307: USA v. Eric Reynolds
Folder 28: 94-3332: USA v. Tamara Smith
Folder 29: 94-3588/94-3707: Kenneth Iverson v. Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Coop., etc.
Folder 30: 94-3640/94-3792: Cooperative Power Association v. Westinghouse Electric Corporation
Folder 31: 94-3669: Ollie Williams v. Michael Groose
Folder 32: 94-3687/94-3849: John Joubert v. Frank Hopkins (1 of 2)
Folder 33: 94-3687/94-3849: John Joubert v. Frank Hopkins (2 of 2)
Folder 34: 94-3780: Tri-State Hotels, Inc., et al. v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, etc., et al.
Folder 35: 94-3789: Linda Lara v. Shirley Chater, etc.

Box 107

Folder 1: 94-3822/94-4039: USA v. Anthony Johnson / Chico Tillmon
Folder 2: 94-3902: Alan Bannister v. Paul Delo (1 of 3)
Folder 3: 94-3902: Alan Bannister v. Paul Delo (2 of 3)
Folder 4: 94-3902: Alan Bannister v. Paul Delo (3 of 3)
Folder 5: 94-3912: James Burrows v. Donald Reisselman
Folder 6: 94-3970: USA v. Terrance Davis
Folder 7: 94-4073: Evelyn McAdams v. Janet Reno, etc., et al.
Folder 8: 94-4076: In re: HLM Corporation, etc. v. James Ramette, etc.
Folder 9: 94-4080: Mable Shangreau v. Bruce Babbitt
Folder 10: 94-4094/95-1171: USA v. Larry Hiveley / Ansil Henry
Folder 11: 94-4098: Diana Weisburgh v. St. Jude Medical, Inc., et al.
Folder 12: 94-4130: Donald Watkins, et al. v. James Purkett, et al.
Folder 13: 94-1356/94-1423/94-1586: Alfonso Avitia, et al. v. Metropolitan Club of Chicago, Inc. (7th Circuit)
Folder 14: 94-1598/94-2310: USA v. Joseph Byerley, et al. (7th Circuit)
Folder 15: 94-1624: USA v. Ervin Lee (7th Circuit)
Folder 16: 94-2051: USA v. Gerisa Eppinger (7th Circuit)
Folder 17: 94-2075: USA v. Clement Messino (7th Circuit)
Folder 18: 94-2189: Teofilo Jusay, et al. v. Immigration & Naturalization Service (7th Circuit)
Folder 19: 94-2191: USA v. Kenneth Muldrow (7th Circuit): 43 F.3d 1474 (7th Cir. 1994)
Folder 20: 94-2248: USA v. Timmy Rogers (7th Circuit)
Folder 21: 94-2267/94-2321: Raybestos Products Company v. Gilbert Younger, et al. (1 of 2) (7th Circuit)
Folder 22: 94-2267/94-2321: Raybestos Products Company v. Gilbert Younger, et al. (2 of 2) (7th Circuit)
Folder 23: 94-2535: Gueorgui Urukov v. Immigration & Naturalization Service (7th Circuit)
Folder 24: 94-2538: Echo, Inc. v. Whitson Company, et al. (7th Circuit)
Folder 25: 94-2551: Albert Overhauser, et al. v. USA (7th Circuit)
Folder 26: 94-2670/94-2831: Julie Mason v. Waukesha County, et al. (7th Circuit)
Folder 27: 94-2731: Lutheran Hospital of Indiana, et al. v. Business Men's Assurance Company of America, et al. (7th Circuit)
Folder 28: 94-2745: Janeen Lonsdorf v. Ted Seefeldt, et al. (7th Circuit)
Folder 29: 94-2834: Lynette Harris v. Betty Quadracci, et al. (7th Circuit)
Folder 30: 94-2921: Isaac Miles v. Richard Gramley, etc., et al. (7th Circuit)
Folder 31: 94-50444: USA v. Ronald Fauria (9th Circuit)
Folder 32: 94-55804/94-55910/94-55912: James Feder, et al. v. Gary Lazar, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 33: 94-55811: Suburban Water Systems, etc. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co., etc (9th Circuit)
Folder 34: 94-55827: In re: Dividend Development Co. v. USA (9th Circuit)
Folder 35: 94-55851: Joel Schnur v. GM Hughes Electronics, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 36: 94-55911: Timothy Woods v. Saturn Distribution Corporation (9th Circuit)
Folder 37: 94-55943: Charles Cahill, et al. v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (9th Circuit): 24 F.3d 245 (9th Cir. 1994)
Folder 38: 94-55971: James Dahl, et al. v. City of Huntington Beach, et al. (9th Circuit)

Box 108

Folder 1: 94-55983/94-56138/94-56188: Zenith Insurance Co. v. James Eisenberg, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 2: 94-56045/94-56049/94-56077: Margaret Lewis, et al. v. Telephone Employees Credit Union, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 3: 94-56046/94-56279: Germaine Strother, M.D. v. Southern California Permanente Medical Group (9th Circuit)
Folder 4: 94-1059/94-1090: Caroltn Frymire, et al. v. Ampex Corporation (1 of 2) (10th Circuit)
Folder 5: 94-1059/94-1090: Caroltn Frymire, et al. v. Ampex Corporation (2 of 2) (10th Circuit)
Folder 6: 94-3153: Josie Butler v. Union Pacific Railroad Company (10th Circuit)
Folder 7: 94-3154/94-3208: Stephen Aguinaga v. United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (10th Circuit)
Folder 8: 94-3167: Pennie Carl v. The City of Overland Park, Kansas, et al. (10th Circuit)
Folder 9: 94-3186: USA v. Titus Webster (10th Circuit)
Folder 10: 94-4144/94-4153: Wayne Carper, et al. v. Gary Deland, etc., et al. (10th Circuit): 54 F.3d 613 (10th Cir. 1994)
Folder 11: 94-5128: H. Dale Barrick, et al. v. Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co. (10th Circuit)
Folder 12: 94-6036: USA v. Royal Hardage, et al. (10th Circuit)
Folder 13: 94-6084: Ann Furnace v. Oklahoma Corporation Commission, et al. (10th Circuit)
Folder 14: 94-6166/94-6167: Comanche Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, etc. v. Richard Hovis, et al. (10th Circuit)
Folder 15: 94-6187-94-6207: Herbert Polk v. Stephen Kaiser, et al. (10th Circuit)
Folder 16: 94-6192: USA v. Royal Hardage, et al. (10th Circuit)
Folder 17: 94-6284: USA v. Wayne Null, etc. (10th Circuit)
Folder 18: 94-2707: USA v. Harry Jones (11th Circuit)
Folder 19: 94-4962: USA v. Melva Lozano-Hernandez, et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 20: 94-5321: USA v. Brian King (11th Circuit)

Department of Special Collections
Digital Finding Aids