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 32: 1998

Box 117

Folder 15: 98-1049: Robert Lamminen v. City of Cloquet, et al.
Folder 16: 98-1075/98-1076: Jeffrey Campbell, et al. v. Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, etc., et al.
Folder 17: 98-1131: USA v. Kevin Bassham
Folder 18: 98-1226: USA v. Randy Phelps (1 of 2)
Folder 19: 98-1226: USA v. Randy Phelps (2 of 2)
Folder 20: 98-1243: USA v. Days Inns of America, Inc., et al.: 151 F.3d 822 (8th Cir. 1998)
Folder 21: 98-1250: David Perez, etc., et al. v. Matthew Gaffey, etc., et al.
Folder 22: 98-1641: Allen McCarter v. Michael Bowersox
Folder 23: 98-1778: USA v. Evin Licona-Lopez: 163 F.3d 1040 (8th Cir. 1998)
Folder 24: 98-1796: Thelma Hall v. Missouri Highway & Transportation Commission, et al.
Folder 25: 98-1861: Jose Cigaran, et al. v. Michael Heston, etc., et al.: 159 F.3d 355 (8th Cir. 1998)
Folder 26: 98-1903: Eugene Perkins v. St. Louis County Water Company: 160 F.3d 446 (8th Cir. 1998)
Folder 27: 98-1954: Rosia Woodis v. Westark Community College: 160 F.3d 435 (8th Cir. 1998)
Folder 28: 98-1972: USA v. Virginia Pena-Saiz: 161 F.3d 1175 (8th Cir. 1998)
Folder 29: 98-1992: Gregory Hennenfent v. Mid Dakota Clinic, etc., et al.: 164 F.3d 419 (8th Cir. 1998)
Folder 30: 98-1996: USA v. Russell Eggleston

Box 118

Folder 1: 98-1290: Robert Wisdom, et al. v. First Midwest Bank, etc., et al.
Folder 2: 98-1317: USA v. Joe Brooks
Folder 3: 98-1332: State of Missouri, etc., et al. v. Richard Craig, et al.: 163 F.3d 482 (8th Cir. 1998)
Folder 4: 98-1343: Odell Nelson v. USA
Folder 5: 98-1361: USA v. Michael Glenn, etc.: 152 F.3d 1047 (8th Cir. 1998)
Folder 6: 98-1509: American Employers Insurance Co. v. John Doe 3B
Folder 7: 98-1521: USA v. Jose Mansanares, etc
Folder 8: 98-1564: USA v. George Chamberlain
Folder 9: 98-2007: Robert Thomas v. Matthew Olivanti, et al.
Folder 10: 98-2035: Jerry Hyatt v. James Gammon
Folder 11: 98-2130: USA v. Ronald Lindsey, etc.
Folder 12: 98-2144/98-2416: Gilbert Copper, et al. v. City of Fargo, et al.
Folder 13: 98-2147: Chris Veneklase v. City of Fargo (1 of 5)
Folder 14: 98-2147: Chris Veneklase v. City of Fargo (2 of 5)
Folder 15: 98-2147: Chris Veneklase v. City of Fargo (3 of 5)
Folder 16: 98-2147: Chris Veneklase v. City of Fargo (4 of 5)
Folder 17: 98-2147: Chris Veneklase v. City of Fargo (5 of 5)
Folder 18: 98-2355: United States of America ex rel. Claud Sloan v. Dakota Gasification Company, etc., et al.
Folder 19: 98-2358: Keith Smith v. Michael Bowersox: 159 F.3d 345 (8th Cir. 1998)
Folder 20: 98-2405: USA v. Richard DeShon, etc.
Folder 21: 98-2456: Daryl Shurn v. Paul Delo, etc.
Folder 22: 98-2468: USA v. Delaine Berg
Folder 23: 98-2553: Timmy Wilson v. Kenneth Apfel, etc.
Folder 24: 98-3674: Alfonso Reyes-Lechuga v. Janet Reno, etc., et al.
Folder 25: 98-2697: Planned Parenthood of Mid-Missouri and Eastern Kansas, Inc., et al. v. State of Missouri

Box 119

Folder 1: 98-2704: USA v. Thomas Bayer
Folder 2: 98-2706: Katherine O'Sullivan v. State of Minnesota, et al.
Folder 3: 98-2781: USA v. Darrell Caldwell
Folder 4: 98-2945: USA v. John Cupit, IV
Folder 5: 98-2951: Planned Parenthood of Mid-Missouri and Eastern Kansas, Inc. v. Maureen Dempsey, M.D., et al (1 of 2)
Folder 6: 98-2951: Planned Parenthood of Mid-Missouri and Eastern Kansas, Inc. v. Maureen Dempsey, M.D., et al (2 of 2)
Folder 7: 98-2971: Independent School District, No. 432 v. J.H., etc.
Folder 8: 98-2580: Gloria Carter v. Chrysler Corporation, et al.
Folder 9: 98-3177: J. Malcolm Thompson v. Larry Peterson, et al.
Folder 10: 98-3166: Bank One, etc. v. Michael Guttau, etc., et al.
Folder 11: 98-3186: Daniel Nelson v. USA
Folder 12: 98-3269: Rickey Daffron v. Larry Norris, etc.
Folder 13: 98-3409: Evelyn Long v. Hubert Humphrey, III
Folder 14: 98-3431: Rodney Carl, etc. v. USA
Folder 15: 98-3480: USA v. Randy Vanhorn
Folder 16: 98-3516: BASCO, Inc., etc. v. Buth-Na-Bodhaige,etc., et al.
Folder 17: 98-3568: USA v. Frederick McKnight
Folder 18: 98-3638: Stephen Langlie v. Onan Corporation
Folder 19: 98-3671: Joseph Wild v. Minntech Corp., etc.
Folder 20: 98-3677: USA v. Russell Peterson
Folder 21: 98-3746: Richard Krone v. Kenneth Apfel, etc.
Folder 22: 98-3752: USA v. Michael Chambliss
Folder 23: 98-3800: USA v. Herman Jackson
Folder 24: 98-3843: Ali Abdulla Sabhari, et al. v. Janet Reno, etc., et al.
Folder 25: 98-3977: USA v. Kenneth Porter
Folder 26: 98-4038: Douglas Thompson v. FBI
Folder 27: 98-4059: Franki Mayer v. Kenneth Apfel, etc.
Folder 28: 98-4112: Marilyn Olmer, etc., et al. v. City of Lincoln, etc., et al.
Folder 29: 98-4202: Ricky Ferdinand v. Dave Dormire, etc., et al.
Folder 30: 98-8032: Charles Singleton v. Larry Norris, etc.
Folder 31: 98-1657: USA v. Howard Parsons (3rd Circuit)
Folder 32: 98-1823/98-1879/98-1880: Rite Aid of Pennsylvania, Inc., et al. v. Feather Houston, et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 33: 98-1593: In Re: William Lee Roberts (3rd Circuit)
Folder 34: 98-3357: Regis Tyber v. The County of Westmoreland (3rd Circuit)
Folder 35: 98-3460: Leroy Thomas v. USA (3rd Circuit)
Folder 36: 98-3487: Lafarge Corporation v. Campbell Transportation Company, Inc. (3rd Circuit)

Box 120

Folder 1: 98-2134: Bruce Cooper v. James Price, etc., et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 2: 98-3542: Janice Wolk v. Unum Life Insurance Company of America (3rd Circuit)
Folder 3: 98-6137: Nabisco, Inc., et al. v. Inventory Management Consultant Group, LTD., et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 4: 98-6168/98-6211: National Labor Relations Board v. Attleboro Associates, LTD., et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 5: 98-6245: Samuel Lopez v. Parsippany Troy-Hills Township Board of Education, et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 6: 98-6514: USA v. Phu Nguyen (3rd Circuit)
Folder 7: 98-7026: Geraldine Schandl v. Smith Barney Shearson Lehman Brothers (3rd Circuit)
Folder 8: 98-7122: Michael Showers, et al. v. Steven Spangler, et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 9: 98-7194: Alan Bolinger, Jr. v. Thomas Ridge, etc., et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 10: 98-7341: Arrest the Incinerator Remediation, Inc. v. Ohm Remediation Services Corp., et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 11: 98-7482: USA v. Richard Lambert (3rd Circuit)
Folder 12: 98-0147: In re: Todd Porter (6th Circuit)
Folder 13: 98-0151: In re: Gerald Allen Maxwell (6th Circuit)
Folder 14: 98-1039: Larry Nevers v. Geore Killinger, etc., et al. (6th Circuit)
Folder 15: 98-3116: Charles Reid v. Sovereign Coal Corporation, etc., et al. (6th Circuit)
Folder 16: 98-15003/98-15007/98-17051: Maria Teresa De Saracho, etc., et al. v. Custom Food Machinery Inc., etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 17: 98-15116: Aarathi Desaigoudar, etc. v. California Micro Devices Corp., etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 18: 98-15160/98-15198: Maurice Thompson, et al. v. James Gomez, et al. (9th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 19: 98-15160/98-15198: Maurice Thompson, et al. v. James Gomez, et al. (9th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 20: 98-15163: James Blunk, etc. v. Arizona Department of Transportation, etc., et al.
Folder 21: 98-15211: Codar, Inc., etc. v. State of Arizona, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 22: 98-15252: Steffeny Tremain v. Bell Industries, Inc., etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 23: 98-15306: Alvin Clinton, et al. v. Bruce Babbitt, etc. (9th Circuit)
Folder 24: 98-16541: Rollin Wright v. State of California, etc. (9th Circuit)
Folder 25: 98-16692: Charles McBride v. United States Department of the Treasury (9th Circuit)
Folder 26: 98-16703: Barbara Orban, etc. v. Joseph O'Connor, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 27: 98-16783/98-16929: Crystal Company, etc. v. Inchcape Shipping Services, Inc. etc., et al.(9th Circuit)
Folder 28: 98-16841: Vincent Potter v. Kenneth Apfel, etc. (9th Circuit)

Box 121

Folder 1: 98-16846: Yan Monegro, et al. v. Luis Rosa, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 2: 98-17250: Headwaters Forest Defense, et al. v. The County of Humboldt, etc., et al. (9th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 3: 98-17250: Headwaters Forest Defense, et al. v. The County of Humboldt, etc., et al. (9th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 4: 98-36013: U.S. West Communications, Inc., etc. v. Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 5: 98-50018: USA v. Jorge Nava-Salgado (9th Circuit)
Folder 6: 98-50033: USA v. John Bennett (9th Circuit)
Folder 7: 98-50046: USA v. Patrick Romanelli (9th Circuit)
Folder 8: 98-50145: USA v. Denise Vasquez (9th Circuit)
Folder 9: 98-50260: USA v. Ghugas Yamukian (9th Circuit)
Folder 10: 98-50342: USA v. Fred Robbin (9th Circuit)
Folder 11: 98-50520/99-50202:USA v. Illona Nelson, etc., Miles Nelson (9th Circuit)
Folder 12: 98-50541: USA v. Cresencio Armenta-Lara (9th Circuit)
Folder 13: 98-50568: USA v. Benjamin Corona-Garcia (9th Circuit)
Folder 14: 98-50601: USA v. Terrill Dixon (9th Circuit)
Folder 15: 98-55051/98-56495/98-56496/99-56585: Dennis Shephard, et al. v. Kathleen Dorsa, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 16: 98-55580: Wayne Owan v. George Galaza, etc. (9th Circuit)
Folder 17: 98-55592: Elizabeth Ballard v. Royal Trust Bank, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 18: 98-55593: Robert Jowers v. GTE California Incorporated, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 19: 98-55610: George Adamian v. American Alliance Capital Group, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 20: 98-55636: Joseph Mora, et al. v. Gilbert Vasquez, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 21: 98-55637: Suzanne Savary, etc., et al. v. USA (9th Circuit)
Folder 22: 98-55700: Renee Lucido v. Compreview, Inc., etc. (9th Circuit)
Folder 23: 98-55738: Rita Ramirez v. USA, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 24: 98-55754: David Sintek, etc. v. Prudential Insurance Company of America, etc. (9th Circuit)
Folder 25: 98-55786: USA v. Mong Nguyen (9th Circuit)

Box 122

Folder 1: 98-55887: John Lalonde v. County of Riverside, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 2: 98-56298: Allarcom Pay Television, etc., et al. v. Home Box Office, etc. (9th Circuit)
Folder 3: 98-56927: Joaquin Fernandez v. Ernie Roe, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 4: 98-70321: Norma Jacinto, et al. v. Immigration and Naturalization Service (9th Circuit)
Folder 5: 98-70330: Artis Moss v. Maersk Stevedoring Company, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 6: 98-70361: Crisente Domingo Del Rosario v. Immigration and Naturalization Service (9th Circuit)
Folder 7: 98-70363: Mario Navas v. Immigration and Naturalization Service (9th Circuit)
Folder 8: 98-2257: Romano Salvatori v. Westinghouse Electric Corporation (11th Circuit)
Folder 9: 98-2317: USA v. Quenton Thompson (11th Circuit)
Folder 10: 98-2651: Joseph Macuba v. Matthew Deboer, et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 11: 98-5075: Michael Perez v. Miami-Dade County (11th Circuit)
Folder 12: 98-5169: USA v. Carlos Prieto (11th Circuit)
Folder 13: 98-6284: Carrie Blankenship v. South Central Bell, et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 14: 98-8065: Alba Leone, et al. v. William Coogle, et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 15: 98-8177/98-8198/98-8250/98-8296: USA v. Terrell Jenkins/Matthew Guyton/Sammy McCry, et al./Antonio Fuquay (11th Circuit)
Folder 16: 98-8393: The African Methodist Episcopal Church, Inc. v. Marie Ward, etc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 17: 98-8537: Melinda Miller v. Sweetheart Cup Co., Inc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 18: 98-8659: Keith Hendricks, et al. v. Earling Shipping Co., LTD., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 19: 98-8821: Raymond Hicks, M.D. v. Talbott Recovery System, Inc., etc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 20: 98-8885: Eddie Bartels, etc., et al. v. Alabama Commercial College, Inc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 21: 98-8899: Frederick Harris, et al. v. Wayne Garner, etc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 22: 98-8957: L.E Thieke v. P.F. Theile (11th Circuit)

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