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 34: 2000

Box 126

Folder 17: 00-1009: Carol Clune, et al. v. Alimak AB, et al.: 233 F.3d 538 (8th Cir. 2000)
Folder 18: 00-1050: Friends of Richards-Gebaur Airport, et al. v. Federal Aviation Administration, et al., etc. (1 of 2)
Folder 19: 00-1050: Friends of Richards-Gebaur Airport, et al. v. Federal Aviation Administration, et al., etc. (2 of 2)
Folder 20: 00-1150: USA v. Bobbie Hermes, etc.
Folder 21: 00-1166: USA v. Eric Reinholz, et al.
Folder 22: 00-1222: USA v. Carlos Alvear
Folder 23: 00-1229: James Cantrell v. Kenneth Apfel, etc.: 231 F.3d 1104 (8th Cir. 2000)
Folder 24: 00-1280: USA v. Douglas Moffatt
Folder 25: 00-1356: Charles Singleton v. Larry Norris, etc.
Folder 26: 00-1357: USA v. Rupert Doyle
Folder 27: 00-1404: USA v. Roberto Chavez: 230 F.3d 1089 (8th Cir. 2000)
Folder 28: 00-1422: USA v. Gary Fladten: 230 F.3d 1083 (8th Cir. 2000)
Folder 29: 00-1425: Henry Taylor, Jr. v. USA
Folder 30: 00-1492: Charles Singleton v. Larry Norris (1 of 4)
Folder 31: 00-1492: Charles Singleton v. Larry Norris (2 of 4)
Folder 32: 00-1492: Charles Singleton v. Larry Norris (3 of 4)

Box 127

Folder 1: 00-1492: Charles Singleton v. Larry Norris (4 of 4)
Folder 2: 00-1532: Lazaro Borrero v. Immigration and Naturalization Service
Folder 3: 00-1553: Delvin Gylten, et al. v. Timothy Swalboski, etc., et al
Folder 4: 00-1567: USA v. H.G. Frost, etc.: 234 F.3d 1023 (8th Cir. 2000)
Folder 5: 00-1579: USA v. Randy Davis
Folder 6: 00-1679/00-1680: USA v. Gilberto Gomez, etc., et al.
Folder 7: 00-1819: Spirit Lake Tribe, etc. v. State of North Dakota, et al. (1 of 2)
Folder 8: 00-1819: Spirit Lake Tribe, etc. v. State of North Dakota, et al. (2 of 2)
Folder 9: 00-1930: Kenneth Murray v. Sheryl Hvass, etc.
Folder 10: 00-2005: Scott Zenanko v. David Crist, etc.
Folder 11: 00-2102: Kevin Lee v. McDonald's Corporation: 231 F.3d 456 (8th Cir. 2000)
Folder 12: 00-2133: USA v. Halbert Bell
Folder 13: 00-2203: Grover Henderson v. Larry Norris, etc.
Folder 14: 00-2204: Rebecca Wildman v. Marshalltown Community School District
Folder 15: 00-2318: Matthew Lefler, etc. v. General Casualty Company of Wisconsin
Folder 16: 00-2357: Shawn Holley v. Larry Massanari, etc.
Folder 17: 00-2404: Frankie Zemo v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, etc.
Folder 18: 00-2450: Maxcie Thomas, III v. Captain Talley, Individually
Folder 19: 00-2469/3767: USA v. John Palmer, et al.
Folder 20: 00-2484: Harold Dotson v. Delta Consolidated Industries, Inc.
Folder 21: 00-2487: Ellen Hunt v. Larry Massanari, etc.
Folder 22: 00-2488: El Dorado School District #15, etc. v. Continental Casualty Company, et al.
Folder 23: 00-2599: Ramon-Gavilan-Cuate v. Chuch Yetter
Folder 24: 00-2624: Mack Green v. USA
Folder 25: 00-2867: Winthrop Resources Corporation, etc. v. The Stanley Works, etc.
Folder 26: 00-2884: Clifton Berglee, DVM v. First National Bank of Brookings, South Dakota
Folder 27: 00-2935: USA v. James Merle Blue, Sr.
Folder 28: 00-3047: United States Securities and Exchange Commission v. Nicholas Zahareas, et al. (1 of 2)
Folder 29: 00-3047: United States Securities and Exchange Commission v. Nicholas Zahareas, et al. (2 of 2)
Folder 30: 00-3098: Kathy Johnson v. Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Folder 31: 00-3110: USA v. Ralph Emeron Taken Alive, II
Folder 32: 00-3135: Gilo Menjivar v. Immigration and Naturalization Service
Folder 33: 00-3204: Keith Walker v. Herb Maschner, et al.
Folder 34: 00-3283: Everett Lyon v. Del Vande Krol, et al. (1 of 2)
Folder 35: 00-3283: Everett Lyon v. Del Vande Krol, et al. (2 of 2)
Folder 36: 00-3418/01-1144: USA v. Samuel Alcantar, et al.

Box 128

Folder 1: 00-3495/00-3627: USA v. Tony Green, et al.
Folder 2: 00-3630: USA v. Christina Langner
Folder 3: 00-3660: USA v. Dennis Tyndall
Folder 4: 00-3674: Jason Green v. David Newell, et al.
Folder 5: 00-3731/3733: Edward Moore v. Ernest-Jackson, etc., et al.
Folder 6: 00-3799: James Ihnen, et al. v. USA
Folder 7: 00-3806: Frank Foster, et al. v. Clausen Miller, et al.
Folder 8: 00-3855: USA v. Martin Guevara-Martinez, etc.
Folder 9: 00-3859/01-1401: USA v. John Mull, etc., et al.
Folder 10: 00-3863: Richard Hanson v. Kurt Knickerham, etc., et al.
Folder 11: 00-3910: National Labor Relations Board v. Budrovich Contracting Company, et al.
Folder 12: 00-3943/00-3992: Timothy Moysis v. DTG Datanet, etc.
Folder 13: 00-3958/00-3959/00-3960/00-3961: MidAmerican Energy Company v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Folder 14: 00-3975: USA v. Lonny Street
Folder 15: 00-4046: Albert Conant v. City of Hibbing
Folder 16: 00-1788: USA v. Khaibar Lalji, etc. (2nd Circuit)
Folder 17: 00-1396: Thomas Kilkenny, etc., et al. v. Guy Long, Inc. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 18: 00-1589/00-2035: Shannon Doyle v. U.S. Secretary of Labor, et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 19: 00-1635: USA v. Ten Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($10,700.00) in United States Currency, et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 20: 00-1691: George Hasenberg v. Watson-Guptill Publications, et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 21: 00-1725: USA v. James Tucker, Jr. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 22: 00-1832: Margaret Matto v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, etc., et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 23: 00-2203: USA v. Rudolph Weaver (3rd Circuit)
Folder 24: 00-2826: USA v. Bruce Watson, etc. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 25: 00-2851: Charles Mercado, et al. v. Tobyanna Army Depot, et al.
Folder 26: 00-2913: USA v. Omar McCray (3rd Circuit)
Folder 27: 00-2956/00-3639: USA v. Anthon Solano, et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 28: 00-3193: USA v. Lawrence Titchell (3rd Circuit)
Folder 29: 00-3283: Epcon Group, Inc., et al. v. Danburry Farms, Inc., et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 30: 00-4302: Evelyn Laken, et al. v. Fryer Group of Companies, etc., et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 31: 00-4323: Robert Werwinski, Jr., et al. v. Ford Moto Company (3rd Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 32: 00-4323: Robert Werwinski, Jr., et al. v. Ford Moto Company (3rd Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 33: 00-5063: Sandvik Ab v. Advent International Corp., et al. (3rd Circuit): 220 F.3d 99 (3d Cir. 2000)
Folder 34: 00-1115: Patricia Weston v. AmeriBank (6th Circuit)
Folder 35: 00-1415: Timothy Styles v. Kenneth McGinnis, etc., et al. (6th Circuit)
Folder 36: 00-1846: Tim Dilaura, et al. v. Ann Arbor Charter Township, et al. (6th Circuit)
Folder 37: 00-1917: USA v. Willis Georgia (6th Circuit)

Box 129

Folder 1: 00-1930/00-1932: David Walker v. General Telephone Company, et al. (6th Circuit)
Folder 2: 00-2150/00-2163/00-2153: Dashawn Lyons v. Andrew Jackson, etc. (6th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 3: 00-2150/00-2163/00-2153: Dashawn Lyons v. Andrew Jackson, etc. (6th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 4: 00-2244: Elena Herrada v. City of Detroit (6th Circuit)
Folder 5: 00-3026: Lee Yeager v. General Motors Corporation (6th Circuit)
Folder 6: 00-3101: Huffy Corporation v. Arai Industrial Company, LTD (6th Circuit)
Folder 7: 00-3577: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company v. The Home Insurance Company (6th Circuit)
Folder 8: 00-3762/00-3961: Allan Mills v. River Terminal Railway Company, et al. (6th Circuit)
Folder 9: 00-3818: David Coulson v. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (6th Circuit)
Folder 10: 00-4004: USA v. Preston Thomas (6th Circuit)
Folder 11: 00-4060: USA v. George Alexander (6th Circuit)
Folder 12: 00-4237: Lee McGrath v. General Motors Corporation (6th Circuit)
Folder 13: 00-10108: USA v. Patrick Foster (9th Circuit)
Folder 14: 00-10204: USA v. Elizabeth Castaneda (9th Circuit)
Folder 15: 00-10215: USA v. Richard Carr (9th Circuit)
Folder 16: 00-15968: David Brower, etc., et al. v. Donald Evans, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 17: 00-16259: Frederick Thompson v. St. Johns Unified School District (9th Circuit)
Folder 18: 00-16369: Jason Bills v. United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company (9th Circuit)
Folder 19: 00-16494: William Gerber v. Rodney Hickman, etc. (9th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 20: 00-16494: William Gerber v. Rodney Hickman, etc. (9th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 21: 00-16497: Jack Bellevue v. Prudential Insurance Company of America (9th Circuit)
Folder 22: 00-16568: Earl Wyatt v. Cal Terhune, etc. (9th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 23: 00-16568: Earl Wyatt v. Cal Terhune, etc. (9th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 24: 00-16616: Robert Van Buskirk, etc. v. Cable News Network, etc., et al. (9th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 25: 00-16616: Robert Van Buskirk, etc. v. Cable News Network, etc., et al. (9th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 26: 00-16623: Range Rider Partners Limited Partnership, etc. v. Range Riders Estates, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 27: 00-16640: Randolph Olson v. Teamsters Local No. 70, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 28: 00-16737/00-16840: Daniel Walsh v. William Kelly, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)

Box 130

Folder 1: 00-16752: California First Amendment Coalition, et al. v. Jeanne Woodford, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 2: 00-16929: Mitchell Harshbarger v. Sierra Pacific Company (9th Circuit)
Folder 3: 00-16931: Wakefield Properties v. Norma Hurt (9th Circuit)
Folder 4: 00-17051: Marc Mauseth, etc., et al. v. American Airlines, Inc., etc. (9th Circuit)
Folder 5: 00-35714/00-35758/00-35788: Greenpeace, et al. v. The National Marine Fisheries Service, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 6: 00-50495: USA v. Charley Robinet (9th Circuit)
Folder 7: 00-50605: USA v. Lazaro Perez-Casanova (9th Circuit)
Folder 8: 00-50606: USA v. Jose Yanez-Saucedo (9th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 9: 00-50606: USA v. Jose Yanez-Saucedo (9th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 10: 00-55087: Darryl Polk v. Gary Lindsey, etc. (9th Circuit)
Folder 11: 00-55341: Samsung Mexicana S.A. DE C.V. v. California Multimodal Inc. (9th Circuit)
Folder 12: 00-55466/00-55468/00-55957/00-57080: James and Patricia House, et al. v. Allstate Insurance Company (9th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 13: 00-55466/00-55468/00-55957/00-57080: James and Patricia House, et al. v. Allstate Insurance Company (9th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 14: 00-55825: Jose Araujo v. Ivalee Henry (9th Circuit)
Folder 15: 00-55924: Goldilocks Corporation of Southern California, Inc. v. Ramkabir Motor Inn, Inc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 16: 00-56143: Byron Crews v. George Galaza, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 17: 00-56285: Frank Huiza v. Tom Carey (9th Circuit)
Folder 18: 00-56360: Victor Lee v. A.A. Lamarque, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 19: 00-56446: Stephen Flatow, et al. v. The Islamic Republic of Iran (9th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 20: 00-56446: Stephen Flatow, et al. v. The Islamic Republic of Iran (9th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 21: 00-56455: Stanley Plummer, et al. v. Allstate Insurance Company, Inc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 22: 00-56490: Atlantic Richfield Company, etc. v. Jamshid Zaman, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 23: 00-56863: Darren Williams v. Cheryl Pliler (9th Circuit)
Folder 24: 00-56877: Raymond Rolen v. Jo Anne Barnhart, etc. (9th Circuit)
Folder 25: 00-70740: Dunia Marwan Fuad Abdul-Hadi v. John Ashcroft, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 26: 00-10143/10199: USA v. Celvon Smith, et al. (11th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 27: 00-10143/10199: USA v. Celvon Smith, et al. (11th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 28: 00-10502: Tombari Enterprises, Inc. v. HomeUSA, Inc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 29: 00-11653: Margaret McKinley v. Bruce Kaplan, etc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 30: 00-12200: A. Griffin v. City of Opa-Locka, et al. (11th Circuit)

Box 131

Folder 1: 00-12438: USA v. 751 Old Dixie Highway (11th Circuit)
Folder 2: 00-12985: USA v. Luis Olaya-Reyes (11th Circuit)
Folder 3: 00-13293: Donald Hoffend, Sr. v. James Villa (11th Circuit)
Folder 4: 00-14177: Rosemary Wascura v. City of South Miami, etc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 5: 00-14368: Davidoff & CIE, etc., et al. v. PLD International Corporation, etc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 6: 00-15775: USA v. Angel Abreu, etc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 7: 00-15998: USA v. Claudio Carmona, et al. (11th Circuit)

Department of Special Collections
Digital Finding Aids