Imagine lifting up the entire population of Victoria and setting us down on a ship out somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. 
Not on a luxury liner with private cabins, chandeliered ballrooms, and elegant staircases, but on an aircraft carrier where bunk beds are stacked three high, floor to ceiling, wall to wall, and other living and moving quarters are equally tight.
Not for a two-week vacation far away from the responsibilities of home and job, but for months or even years at a time, with jobs and immense responsibilities.
Not destined to an exotic island with palm trees and sandy beaches, but to locations on the high seas far from land and vegetation.  The aircraft carrier is, in fact, an island itself, minus soil and palm trees.  It is a 575-ton island.
Paul Kohls of Victoria doesn't have to imagine these things.  He saw them and experienced them firsthand in March, 2006, when he spent 24 hours on the USS George Washington.  Total crew of the aircraft carrier is roughly identical to the population of Victoria:  5,500.
Few civilians are privileged to visit a United States aircraft carrier up close and personal.  Fewer still are invited to spend an overnight on the ship, eating and sleeping among sailors and officers of the United States Navy. 
Paul said he is both humbled and honored to have been their guest.  He was one of 11 such guests that day; most were from Minnesota, others from Michigan, Illinois, and Florida.  They also came from varied walks of life and were identi-fied, in fact, as "Distinguished Visitors."  Paul was further identified and distinguished as their "Group Leader."
The group lived for a day among the sailors and officers, toured their living and working quarters, ate their food and used their facilities, but Paul did not sleep well. 
"I slept terribly," he stated.  "It was noisy.  I could hear planes landing … and I was so excited.  It was all very cool.  I was like a little kid.  So at night I went up to the primary flight operation room and listened to the stories of fighter pilots.  It was all very amazing.  It was very windy and the seas were fairly high …"
How did this young family man and resident of Victoria, Minnesota, come to be a Distinguished Visitor at this home on the high seas?  The story is related to Paul's work at the State Capitol.  Paul is a Minnesota State Representative, and in that position he received an appointment to the Bioscience, Technology, and Medical Committee.
Paul is not just a member of that 12-member Committee; he is its head.  Paul was appointed Chair of the Bioscience, Technology, and Medical Committee by Steve Sviggum, Speaker of the Minnesota House.  At the age of 32, Paul is the most junior Committee Chair in the entire Minnesota Legislature, which includes 134 members of the House and 67 members of the Senate.
How does an aircraft carrier mesh with the workings of this Committee?  Explained Paul, "The Minnesota Legisla-ture held a hearing last fall on how the State could help bring back more federal dollars to help Minnesota businesses hook up with defense contractors.  There is a role for the State.  There are a ton of small technology companies in Minnesota."
Aircraft carriers are in the business of defense - defense of the United States and human interests around the world.  They have the ability to rapidly move from one geographical point to another.  They can move in excess of 40 mph.  They have over 80 planes onboard ready to defend freedom and play a critical role in almost any world crisis.
Aircraft carriers depend on lots of technology and moving parts.  Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty would like Minnesota companies to help supply them.
Paul explained that his 24-hours on the USS George Washington was also part of a Community Leaders to Sea program.  "It's basically a public relations thing," he said.  "Hopefully we'll go back to our communities and say good things about the Navy."
Does Paul have good things to say about the Navy?  "The men and women in the Navy are dedicated to the United States of America and to freedom," he replied.  "Many of them want to be lifers.  They're in the Navy for the long haul.  They enlisted.  They volunteered.  The average age of a sailor is only about 20.  They are all so proud to be in the Navy."