Kids don’t vote, and they don’t donate to political candidates. In other words, they often don’t have a voice with elected officials.

Fortunately, U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster understands the need to advocate on behalf of children. She spoke at Save the Children Action Network’s recent Advocacy Summit, urging hundreds of advocates from New Hampshire and across the country to tell their elected officials why we must invest in kids.

“You’re here and we need to hear your voice,” she told the advocates.

The advocates were in Washington to ask members of Congress to support legislation to address what are called “child care deserts,” communities where child care options are few and far between. In New Hampshire, 46 percent of all residents live in a child care desert. The Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act would provide grants to states to enable them to create their own, state-specific plan to address these child care deserts.

I am so grateful for the inspiring words of U.S. Rep. Kuster to our advocates. She knows that children may only be 20 percent of our population, but they are 100 percent of our future. Investments in our kids are the best ones we as a country can make.