"Mr. & Mrs." star, humanitarian actress Angelina Jolie wanted the U.S. president to make an investment in the future of all the orphans of the world.

She was in Washington Thursday to help an orphans advocacy group establish its headquarters ans asked President George W. Bush to commit another 2.5 billion U.S. dollars to the cause.

The star, who has three adopted children, was speaking at a press conference in the capital city to announce the launch of Global Action For Children, a charity that raises money for orphans in the developing world.

Jolie said, "I am here to simply ask you to think about orphaned children not as a burden but as a great opportunity."

Noting that orphan children can sometimes beat the odds and survive, she also spoke about the very dark fate that sometimes meets orphans in developing countries, including ones that are enslaved, have to resort to prostitution, or are even forced to become child soldiers in warring countries.

She also spoke about how orphans and children can be easily recruited or forced to join terrorist organizations.

"The best solution for anyone who is abandoned or displaced is to be home," Jolie said. "I would support that first and foremost."

The United Nations estimates that 9.7 billion dollars are needed each year to give "comprehensive care" and universal basic education for orphans and vulnerable children around the world.

Editor: Donald