Secretary Clinton congratulates Pakistan on the 63rd anniversary of its independence in 1947. Unfortunately due to the massive flooding, the day isn't as joyous as it could be; Independence Day celebrations have been canceled. Here's her statement, with video below:

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States of America, I am delighted to send best wishes and congratulations to the people of Pakistan as you mark 63 years of independence.

Fatimah Jinnah once said that the story of Pakistan is a story of "the ideals of equality, fraternity, and social and economic justice." Since gaining independence in 1947, the people of Pakistan have been writing that story, one day at a time. Together, you have overcome significant challenges. In just the past few weeks, Pakistanis and partners from many countries have worked to protect people and homes from the floods that swept through so many areas. The damage is serious, but I know Pakistan will rebuild.

And the Pakistani people will continue to write the story that began 63 years ago. As you do, please know that the people of the United States are committed to standing by you. We admire what you have accomplished since Independence. And we seek to support you as you build upon the ideals that inspired your nation from the start.

So on this occasion, let us reaffirm the partnership our nations share, the strong bonds that connect our people-bonds of family, friendship, history, and common purpose. And let us recommit to making the founding ideals of Pakistan - ideals of equality, fraternity, and social and economic justice - making them real. They helped give rise to Pakistan's creation, they stand today as goals that we all hold dear, and they provide encouragement as you continue to build a strong, prosperous, progressive, stable, secure nation for the future. Here's to the democracy of Pakistan and to the people who deserve all that you can build together, knowing that we and others will be there with you on this journey. 

(In the photo above, Clinton poses with Pakistan's flag in Islamabad on Oct. 28, 2009.)

Today, on the six-month anniversary of the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake that hit Haiti, Secretary Clinton has just issued the following statement, in which she concludes, "Six months later, our resolve to stand with the people of Haiti for the long term remains undiminished."

It has been six months since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti and claimed the lives of 230,000 people. Hundreds of thousands more were injured and left homeless. In Haiti's hour of greatest need the international community responded. The United States and more than 140 nations provided humanitarian support, mounting one of the largest rescue and relief efforts in history. On this six month commemoration, we pause to remember all those who lost their lives or loved ones in this tragedy.

Members of the State Department and USAID family were among the dead, and today we honor their service and sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and colleagues. I also salute everyone -- diplomats, development workers and private citizens -- who continue to serve in Haiti, helping the country build back better.

Over the last six months, the Haitian people have again shown their resilience and strength. Their efforts continue to inspire us all. Together we have worked to help children return to school, to ensure that the 1.5 million people who were left homeless have emergency shelter materials while we stand-up transitional and permanent houses, and to make certain that those in need of medical care receive it.

The United States is committed to aligning our investments with the needs of the people and Government of Haiti. We have joined international partners, private sector actors, and NGOs in working together through the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission to help empower the Haitian people and support their efforts.

Six months later, our resolve to stand with the people of Haiti for the long term remains undiminished. We are committed to helping them realize the Haitian vision for a better nation. 

(In the photo above, Haitian students help clear the rubble from the Cathédrale Sainte Trinité in Port-au-Prince on July 10.)

Both Clintons -- Hillary and Bill -- are at the United Nations today! They're attending an international donors conference on Haiti. (As you may know, Bill Clinton is U.N. special envoy for Haiti.) They are not sitting next to another, though. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Haitian President René Préval are seated between them.

The Clintons looking more studious:

Secretary Clinton met today with Haitian President René Préval (above) in Washington. Referring to Haiti's devastating Jan. 12 earthquake, she said:

The United States and the international community mounted the largest ever rescue and relief effort. Progress has been made, but not nearly enough, and therefore, we are holding these meetings with President Préval today and tomorrow and the next day to discuss in depth what we need to do still to alleviate suffering and what we will do together to help build back Haiti better."

Secretary Clinton arrived in Uruguay today for her weeklong visit to South America and Central America.

Her itinerary:

Uruguay: Today, Clinton will attend the inauguration of José Mujica, Latin America's newest leftist leader.

Argentina: Later today in Buenos Aires, she'll meet with Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Earlier, Clinton said she's willing to assist Argentina and Britain resolve their dispute over the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas.

Chile: On Tuesday morning, Clinton is bringing communications equipment for the quake-hit country.

Brazil: Next she heads to Brazil, which presently has a rotating seat on the U.N. Security Council. She's going to use her diplomacy skills to try to persuade the Brazilian government to support tougher sanctions against Iran in order to check its nuclear ambitions. Brazil currently opposes further sanctions.

Costa Rica: Clinton will move on to Central America on Thursday, where she'll attend the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas ministerial meeting, a gathering of the region's foreign ministers that will center on improving the hemisphere's economy.

Guatemala: On Friday, Clinton will conclude her trip by meeting a group of regional leaders, including Honduran President Porfirio Lobo, who became leader in January, succeeding an interim government that outsed former President Manuel Zelaya last June.

Secretary Clinton is in Montreal today for a preliminary meeting about earthquake relief in Haiti. The meeting is expected to lead to a larger donors conference in the next 30 to 60 days. Clinton's remarks about the meeting and relief efforts in Haiti, made while she was en route to Canda earlier today, are here. (Above, Clinton on Jan. 20 gives an update on the Haiti situation and announces she's going to Montreal for a meeting on providing relief.)

Here at FP, five experts weigh in on how best to help devastated Port-au-Prince. And, photos on our site show the devastation.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day, everyone! I hope on this holiday we can all take the time to reflect on the values King promoted and do what we can to support those in need, especially in Haiti.

As many of you know, Secretary Clinton flew into Haiti on Saturday. The cargo plane she was in carried soap, bottled water, and other supplies, along with relief workers. "We are here at the invitation of your government to help you," she told Haitian journalists, perhaps to make it clear this isn't an imperialism-inspired intervention.

"I know of the great resilience and strength of the Haitian people," she also said. "You have been severely tested, but I believe that Haiti can come back even stronger and better in the future."

Due to Clinton's emotional connection to Haiti, where she honeymooned with Bill Clinton (the U.N. envoy to Haiti), I'm sure she'll give the relief efforts there extra consideration and support. As Washington Post columnist Anne Applebaum wrote today, "I am very, very glad that [Bill Clinton] and his wife spent their honeymoon in Haiti: How fortunate, at this moment, that the country has such powerful friends."