Clinton wishes happy Mother’s Day and promotes parental leave

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and today Secretary Clinton announced, “Happy Mother’s Day to all of the proud parents of the State Department.” (I’m sure daughter Chelsea and husband Bill will have a surprise for Clinton on Sunday.)

In her message, Clinton also recommitted the State Department to providing its employees with better parental-leave policies, saying:

I’m recommitting the State Department to do all we can to support parents, especially new mothers and fathers. We will continue to do all we can to advance paid sick leave to new mothers recuperating from childbirth, family members caring for the mother, as well as those caring for a newborn with a serious ailment or disability, and the employees that are in the process of the adoption efforts that I know can be so difficult.”

and:

It’s not enough to just talk about the importance of family — our policies must reflect our commitment and our values.”

And before I depart for the weekend, here’s a photo of Clinton yesterday as she left the Capitol after briefing senators on the new START Treaty (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) signed last month with Russia.