Happy Birthday Hillary! Many many happy returns of the day!
Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for women, children and the forgotten... and for working so hard for peace in the world and for your dedication to the US.
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Democracy needs defending - SOS Hillary Clinton, Sept 8, 2010 Democracy is more than just elections - SOS Hillary Clinton, Oct 28, 2010
Posted By Josh Rogin Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - 10:48 AM Share
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton celebrates her 63rd birthday today. State Department employees, fans, and a few journalists had a chance to sing Happy Birthday to Madam Secretary at last night's screening of Inside the State Department, the new National Geographic documentary about her life "inside the bubble."
Clinton graciously tolerated the crowd's rendition of the Happy Birthday song and the National Geographic people even made her a cake with the Department of of State's official seal on it (pictured above). Clinton will spend the bulk of her special day in New York, giving a speech about the role of women in politics at the U.N. Security Council, but we're told she already took time to celebrate with her family last weekend while traveling in California.
As for the documentary, it provides previously unseen insights into the workings of the massive operation needed to support Clinton on her overseas trips. Starting with Clinton's visit to last year's U.N. General Assembly, the film also follows her to Pakistan and then around the Middle East as she conducted some intensive shuttle diplomacy ahead of the start of peace talks earlier this year.
"This is truly a tribute to the more than 60,000 people who work for the State Department around the world. Now, not all of them could fit into the movie, but without their service standing behind all the faces that you will see and the people that you'll meet, there are literally hundreds and thousands more who do every day what is necessary to protect America, to promote our values, advance our interests in every corner of the globe," she said during her introductory remarks.
The video included several cameos by key staff, including senior advisors Philippe Reines, Jake Sullivan, Huma Abedin, and others. The New York Times' Mark Landler and the AP's Matt Lee were also featured in interviews.
Writer/director Steve Hoggard was surprised how accessible and down to earth Clinton was when traveling. "One thing that would surprise me is when she would come to the back of the plane without her makeup, without her hair done.... You can't help but like her," he said.
The movie will air Nov. 8 at 9 PM on the National Geographic channel.
I'll be setting my TiVo for this National Geographic special next month. For now, their webpage also has some clips available.