[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E644-E645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A TRIBUTE TO DEBORAH BATTLE POINTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Brooklyn 
resident Deborah Battle Pointer. Deborah Battle Pointer is a true child 
of the Diaspora with Carolinian, Jamaican and Black Foot Indian roots. 
She was born and raised in Connecticut and received a Bachelor of 
Science Degree in Psychology from SUNY Cortland and a Master's Degree 
in Education from Cambridge College. The issues of access and equality 
for all have been important cornerstones in her academic career. For 
the past 30 years, she has worked in higher education, and served her 
community as a volunteer while maintaining her involvement in the 
creative arts.
  Deborah was the first Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid 
at Cornell University, the first black woman to hold the position of 
Director of Admissions at Columbia University's School of Engineering 
and former Director of Financial Aid at both Columbia College and SUNY 
Downstate Medical Center. While residing in Ithaca, New York, she was 
elected to the Ithaca School Board where she served two terms.
  Ms. Pointer is a co-founder and Co-Executive Producer of ``Russell 
Simmons Presents Def Poetry,'' a television series shown on the Home 
Box Office cable network. She was also an Executive Consultant to the 
Broadway hit show, Def Poetry. The television series aired for the 
first time in December of 2001 and continues to be a hit on HBO today. 
Deborah and other Executive Producers of Def Poetry were recognized 
with a Peabody Award for Excellence in Television for the HBO program 
and received a Tony Award for the Broadway production in 2003.
  In October of 2001, under the company name Bone Bristle Entertainment 
LLC, Deborah and her business partners created a poetry anthology 
published by Random House, ``Bum Rush the Page.'' The anthology 
features works of 200 poets and has sold more than 15,000 copies. She 
has recently published a children's picture book, ``I Am Hip-Hop'' 
through her non-profit organization Healium Inc. founded by Deborah 
Pointer and Ronald Grant. Healium Inc. is dedicated to the efforts of 
ending child abuse.
  Deborah is currently a consultant to the Chairman of the Department 
of Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital at Downstate where she is 
involved in development and community outreach. She is also one of a 
few African-American Christmas and Kwanzaa ornament designers and was 
featured as an Editor's Choice in ``Decorative Gifts and Accessories'' 
magazine.
  Ms. Pointer has authored several magazine articles on financing and 
college education

[[Page E645]]

and has worked on a series of videotapes on financial aid for students. 
The videotapes aired on Public Broadcasting Stations in the New York 
tri-state area. For many years she was a consultant to ESPN on 
selecting the High School Athlete of the Year. Deborah is currently a 
member of the Brooklyn Borough President's Task Force on BCAT, 
President of the Rutland Road Block Association and a member of 
numerous other organizations.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the impressive achievements 
of Deborah Battle Pointer and her commitment to the children of 
Brooklyn, New York. I also want to thank Ms. Pointer for sharing her 
gifts with the rest of us.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
this wonderful and talented woman.

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