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 29: 1995

Box 108

Folder 21: 95-1081: DiVall Insured Income Fund Limited Partnership, etc. v. Boatmen's First National Bank of Kansas City: 69 F.3d 1398 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 22: 95-1098/95-1188: Randolph Reeves v. Frank Hopkins, etc. (1 of 2)
Folder 23: 95-1098/95-1188: Randolph Reeves v. Frank Hopkins, etc. (2 of 2)
Folder 24: 95-1100: Corey Engelen v. USA: 68 F.3d 238 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 25: 95-1105/95-1115: Jerry Jensen, etc., et al. v. Harold Clarke, etc., et al.
Folder 26: 95-1135: Jo Ann Mudlitz v. Mutual Service Insurance Companies
Folder 27: 95-1164: FGS Constructors, Inc. v. Michael Carlow, etc., et al.: 64 F.3d 1230 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 28: 95-1186: George Horne v. Firemen's Retirement System of St. Louis, et al.: 69 F.3d 233 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 29: 95-1248: Metropolitan Express Services, Inc., etc., et al. v. City of Kansas City, Missouri, etc.
Folder 30: 95-1280: Jane Donaho v. FMC Corporation, etc.
Folder 31: 95-1392: USA v. Wayne Banks: 66 F.3d 332 (8th Cir. 1995)

Box 109

Folder 1: 95-1554/95-1556/95-1558/95-1559: USA v. Desmond Rouse / Jesse Rouse / Garfield Feather / Russell Hubbeling (1 of 3): 100 F.3d 560 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 2: 95-1554/95-1556/95-1558/95-1559: USA v. Desmond Rouse / Jesse Rouse / Garfield Feather / Russell Hubbeling (2 of 3): 100 F.3d 560 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 3: 95-1554/95-1556/95-1558/95-1559: USA v. Desmond Rouse / Jesse Rouse / Garfield Feather / Russell Hubbeling (3 of 3): 100 F.3d 560 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 4: 95-1564: USA v. Edward Kilgore: 58 F.3d 350 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 5: 95-1567: USA v. Dontay Hoosman: 62 F.3d 1080 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 6: 95-1601: USA v. Gilman Keester, etc.: 70 F.3d 1026 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 7: 95-1610: Roy Lyman v. Frank Hopkins: 69 F.3d 541 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 8: 95-1632: In re: Wendell Jeter et al. Doran Shubert v. Wendell Jeter, etc., et al.
Folder 9: 95-1654: Kenneth Rater v. Shirley Chater, etc.
Folder 10: 95-1680: USA v. William Irvin: 67 F.3d 670 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 11: 95-1702: USA v. Wallace Muhammad: 58 F.3d 353 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 12: 95-1704: Kenneth Uhl v. Dennis Swanstrom, etc., et al.
Folder 13: 95-1752: USA v. Aaron Shelton: 66 F.3d 991 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 14: 95-1771: Ronald Troupe v. Michael Groose: 72 F.3d 75 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 15: 95-1780: USA v. Kenneth Shriver: 68 F.3d 479 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 16: 95-1783: Margaret Meyer v. Hawkeye Security Insurance Company: 72 F.3d 133 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 17: 95-1801: Coldwell Banker Relocation Services, Inc. v. TRW Title Insurance Company: 74 F.3d 1243 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 18: 95-1803: USA v. Regina Dinwiddie: 76 F.3d 913 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 19: 95-1837: Herbert Montanye v. USA (1 of 2): 77 F.3d 226 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 20: 95-1837: Herbert Montanye v. USA (2 of 2): 77 F.3d 226 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 21: 95-1842: USA v. David Greene: 78 F.3d 589 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 22: 95-1863: Brady Berry, etc. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company: 70 F.3d 981 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 23: 95-1894: Citicasters, etc. v. Claire McCaskill, etc., et al.: 89 F.3d 1350 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 24: 95-1917: USA v. Robert Olson: 73 F.3d 366 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 25: 95-2001: Monte Ruby v. Springfield R-12 Public School District: 68 F.3d 479 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 26: 95-2009: USA v. Bruce Swinton
Folder 27: 95-2011: Emmitt Foster v. Paul Delo: 54 F.3d 463 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 28: 95-2055: American Family Mutual Insurance Company v. Mission Medical Group, Chtd, et al.: 72 F.3d 645 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 29: 95-2065: Nicky Harding v. Kevin Vilmer: 72 F.3d 91 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 30: 95-2075: Laurina Price v. S-B Power Tool, etc.
Folder 31: 95-2079: USA v. Richard Clementi: 70 F.3d 997 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 32: 95-2094: USA v. Frank Peerman, etc.
Folder 33: 95-2102: USA v. Stephen Cooper: 70 F.3d 1276 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 34: 95-2106: USA v. Lawrence Cron, etc.: 71 F.3d 312 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 35: 95-2144: James Girbson v. Michael Bowersox
Folder 36: 95-2189: Milton Sanders v. Kim Brownlee, et al.: 72 F.3d 134 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 37: 95-2156: In re: Larry Cummins, Harvey Bell v. Thomas Hays, Jr., et al.: 73 F.3d 366 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 38: 95-2162: Carianne Cutshall, etc., et al. v. USA

Box 110

Folder 1: 95-2176: USA v. Paul Shunkwiler: 54 F.3d 783 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 2: 95-2401: USA v. Allen Kemp, Jr.: 72 F.3d 134 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 3: 95-2437: USA v. Amber Hill, Jr.: 72 F.3d 134 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 4: 95-2526: Cedric Roulette v. USA
Folder 5: 95-2534: David Stephens v. Larry Norris, etc.: 83 F.3d 223 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 6: 95-2560: Bob Reves, et al. v. Arthur Young & Co., etc., et al.: 81 F.3d 752 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 7: 95-2620: Keith Brown, et al. v. Neadis Bost, et al.: 78 F.3d 588 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 8: 95-2757/95-2758/95-2760/95-2761: Melvin Tyler, et al. v. Mel Carnahan, et al.: 78 F.3d 589 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 9: 95-2768/95-2776: Thomas Johnston, et al. v. Comerica Mortgage Corporation / Beth Wills, etc. v. Cenlar Federal Savings Bank: 83 F.3d 241 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 10: 95-2779: DCS Sanitation Management, Inc. v. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, et al.: 82 F.3d 812 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 11: 95-2852: USA v. Darrell Caldwell: 88 F.3d 522 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 12: 95-2853: Digi-Tel Holdings, Inc. v. Proteq Telecommunications (PTE), Ltd.: 89 F.3d 519 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 13: 95-2912: Duluth News-Tribune, etc. v. Mesabi Publishing Company, etc., et al.: 84 F.3d 1093 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 14: 95-2959: Moog World Trade Corporation v. Bancomer, S.A., et al.: 90 F.3d 1382 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 15: 95-2980: Richard Carlson, et al. v. United States Department of Housing and Urban Development: 81 F.3d 165 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 16: 95-3014: Marie Woolfolk, etc., et al. v. Darren Smith, et al.: 78 F.3d 589 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 17: 95-3032: Charles Singleton v. Larry Norris, etc.: 108 F.3d 872 (8th Cir. 1997)
Folder 18: 95-3123: USA v. Serafin Flores, etc.: 78 F.3d 589 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 19: 95-3132: Orlando Briscoe v. James Gammon: 78 F.3d 588 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 20: 95-3154: Willie Reynolds v. Larry Norris, etc.: 86 F.3d 796 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 21: 95-3195: Chuck Mathenia v. Paul Delo: 99 F.3d 1476 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 22: 95-3222: USA v. Roger Raether, et al.: 82 F.3d 192 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 23: 95-3286: USA v. Miguel Lazaro-Guadarrama, etc.: 71 F.3d 1419 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 24: 95-3342: USA v. Stephen Kalb: 105 F.3d 426 (8th Cir. 1997)
Folder 25: 95-3472: USA v. Jerome Schiefen, et al.: 81 F.3d 166 (8th Cir. 1996)
Folder 26: 95-3482: Rebecca Caviness, et al. v. Nucor-Yamato Steel Company: 105 F.3d 1216 (8th Cir. 1997)
Folder 27: 95-3543: USA v. Rick Waggoner: 103 F.3d 724 (8th Cir. 1997)
Folder 28: 95-3572: USA v. Cirilo Mendoza, et al.: 121 F.3d 441 (8th Cir. 1997)
Folder 29: 95-3682/95-3803: James Kulinski v. Medtronic Bio-Medicus, Inc.: 60 F.3d 830 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 30: 95-3798: William Cooper v. Wood, Caseworker, et al.
Folder 31: 95-3937: USA v. Eliseo Romo
Folder 32: 95-3966: Noorusadat Hossaini v. Western Missouri Medical Center, et al.
Folder 33: 95-3989: Elsie Mayard v. Tamara Hopwood, et al.: 46 F.3d 1136 (8th Cir. 1995)
Folder 34: 95-4023: Tommy Johnson, Jr. v. Director of Iowa Department of Corrections, et al.
Folder 35: 95-4096: Charles Jones v. USA
Folder 36: 95-4153: Angela Johnson v. Larry Methorst

Box 111

Folder 1: 95-4263: Leech Lake Band of Chippewa Indians v. Cass County, Minnesota, et al.: 108 F.3d 820 (8th Cir. 1997)
Folder 2: 95-50027: USA v. Donnell Joseph (9th Circuit): 76 F.3d 389 (9th Cir. 1996)
Folder 3: 95-50046: USA v. Lawrence Brownstein (9th Circuit)
Folder 4: 95-50116: USA v. Patrick Innie (9th Circuit): 77 F.3d 1207 (9th Cir. 1996)
Folder 5: 95-50155: USA v. Francisco Alcaraz-Garcia, et al. (9th Circuit): 79 F.3d 769 (9th Cir. 1996)
Folder 6: 95-50174: USA v. Lourdes Salzer (9th Circuit): 74 F.3d 1247 (9th Cir. 1996)
Folder 7: 95-50235/95-50241: USA v. Guillermo Torres, et al. (9th Circuit): 81 F.3d 900 (9th Cir. 1996)
Folder 8: 95-50302: In Re: Grand Jury No. 94-1 USA v. Jill Pepper (9th Circuit)
Folder 9: 95-55725/95-55736: State of California v. Montrose Chemical Corporation of Califonia, et al. (1 of 2) (9th Circuit): 104 F.3d 1507 (9th Cir. 1997)
Folder 10: 95-55725/95-55736: State of California v. Montrose Chemical Corporation of Califonia, et al. (2 of 2) (9th Circuit): 104 F.3d 1507 (9th Cir. 1997)
Folder 11: 95-2012: Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co, v, Tanker Robert Walt Miller (11th Circuit)
Folder 12: 95-2192: Bouchard Transportation Company v. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (11th Circuit)
Folder 13: 95-2314: USA v. Richard Ladelfa (11th Circuit): 89 F.3d 854 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 14: 95-2346: USA v. Forrest Jimmy Utter, Jr., a/k/a Biff (11th Circuit): 97 F.3d 509 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 15: 95-2398: USA v. Carl Howell (11th Circuit)
Folder 16: 95-2786: Julie Adams v. Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 17: 95-3210: Esther Key v. Allstate Insurance Company, etc. (11th Circuit): 90 F.3d 1546 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 18: 95-3346: Kenneth Strickland v. John Shannon, et al. (11th Circuit): 90 F.3d 444 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 19: 95-4299: USA v. Raymond Adams (11th Circuit)
Folder 20: 95-4351: Herman Corn v. City of Lauderdale Lakes, et al. (11th Circuit): 95 F.3d 1066 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 21: 95-4354: Robert Sewell, Sr. v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith Inc., et al. (11th Circuit): 94 F.3d 1514 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 22: 95-4424: MCA Television LTD v. C. Elvin Feltner, Jr. (11th Circuit): 89 F.3d 766 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 23: 95-4520: Trumpet Vine Investments, et al. v. Union Capital Partners I, Inc. (11th Circuit): 92 F.3d 1110 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 24: 95-4607: Paul Bass v. Shirley McGreal (11th Circuit): 99 F.3d 1157 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 25: 95-4732: Arthur Myers v. Denny's Restaurant, Inc., et al. (11th Circuit): 89 F.3d 855 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 26: 95-4936: USA v. Ronald Jacoby (11th Circuit): 89 F.3d 855 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 27: 95-4963: Ellen Swanson, etc., et al. v. Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners (11th Circuit): 89 F.3d 855 (11th Cir. 1996)
Folder 28: 95-5056: Compania Interamericana Export-Import, et al. v. Compania Dominicana De Aviacion, etc., et al. (11th Circuit): 88 F.3d 948 (11th Cir. 1996)

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