The real power isn't in Washington

Yesterday I got to testify before Congress about U.S. funding for the global fight against poverty. When I finished my remarks, a Republican congressman from Nebraska jumped in to ask a question.

“Do you know Dr. Fran Moore?”

On a day when more than a dozen Washington experts were there to testify, the person he was thinking about was back in Omaha – his constituent Fran, a long-time RESULTS advocate.

Fran is a retired professor, and for years she’s used her time to lobby her members of Congress on global health and the fight against poverty. She’s been working with the local media, getting hundreds of other constituents to write letters, and meeting face-to-face with members of Congress.

When I go up on Capitol Hill, members of Congress may not recognize me right away, but when I say I’m the executive director of RESULTS, they know exactly what I’m talking about. That’s because they know the constituent advocates like Fran who are out there every day making their voices heard – and moving Congress into action.

And right now, all across the country, RESULTS advocates are setting the agenda for this new Congress.

Together you’re telling lawmakers across the political spectrum that ending poverty here and everywhere should be at the top of their to-do list. You’re pushing Congress to tackle big policy issues and increase investments that are desperately needed: from affordable housing in the United States to the fight against diseases of poverty globally, like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS … from tax policy that reduces poverty here at home to ensuring quality education for children around the world.

This week and every week, I’m reminded that the real power isn’t in Washington – it’s in communities across the country, where passionate advocates like you are in action day after day, week after week, year after year.

Whether you’re just getting started or are a veteran advocate, your voice matters.