The Kansas state's Department of Aging secretary, Kathy Greenlee - who was nominated as the Assistant Secretary for Aging at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by President Barack Obama on May 1 - is heading to Washington, D. C. after the Congress unanimously approved Greenlee's appointment on Thursday evening.

Greenlee, set to take over her new job responsibilities on Monday, is the first Kansan from a cabinet-level position to follow the Kansas Governor, Kathleen Sebelius - who was nominated as the HHS head by the President two months back.

Hailing Greenlee's appointment, Sebelius said: "As she did in Kansas, I know that Kathy will work tirelessly to improve the health and independence of millions of older Americans. The investments in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provide the Administration on Aging the opportunity to expand its work on behalf of our nation's seniors, and Kathy's experience will serve the department well."

Confirming the Senate decision about Greenlee's appointment in a Friday news release, the office of Gov. Mark Parkinson said that Martin "Marty" Kennedy had been appointed as interim secretary for the state's Department on Aging.

Meanwhile, Greenlee expressed her pleasure and relief "to have made it through the process," and said that she was thrilled at the thought of her new job and the opportunities that it spells for her!