September 19, 2025
September 19, 2025 Honorable Avery L. Lewis Senator Legislature of the Virgin Islands Capitol Building, P.O. Box 1690 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00804 RE: Testimony on Bill No. 36-0121 – Renaming Peter Carl Limpricht Park in Honor of the Ten Sleepless Knights Good morning, Honorable Avery L. Lewis, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection; Committee members; other Senators in attendance; and the listening and viewing audience. My name is Derek Gabriel, and I am the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on Bill No. 36-0121, which proposes renaming the Peter Carl Limpricht Park in honor of the Ten Sleepless Knights (TSK), who have dedicated their lives to preserving and performing the official music of the Virgin Islands: quelbe. Since their formation in 1970, TSK has been the leading custodian of quelbe and one of the territory’s most influential cultural groups. …
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September 19, 2025 Honorable Avery L. Lewis Senator Legislature of the Virgin Islands Capitol Building, P.O. Box 1690 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00804 RE: Testimony on Bill No. 36-0121 – Renaming Peter Carl Limpricht Park in Honor of the Ten Sleepless Knights Good morning, Honorable Avery L. Lewis, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection; Committee members; other Senators in attendance; and the listening and viewing audience. My name is Derek Gabriel, and I am the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on Bill No. 36-0121, which proposes renaming the Peter Carl Limpricht Park in honor of the Ten Sleepless Knights (TSK), who have dedicated their lives to preserving and performing the official music of the Virgin Islands: quelbe. Since their formation in 1970, TSK has been the leading custodian of quelbe and one of the territory’s most influential cultural groups. Stanley Jacobs, the only surviving founding member, continues to lead the band and ensure that this traditional music is passed on to future generations. Despite the loss of members over time, TSK has remained steadfast in its mission to preserve Virgin Islands culture. TSK holds a special place in the Crucian community, playing a vital role in the Crucian Christmas Festival and contributing to cultural preservation efforts such as the Quelbe Education Program, scholarships, and educational performances. This testimony is also near and dear to my heart because one of the members, Shelton Schulterbrandt, served the Department of Public Works for over 30 years before recently retiring. His service reflects the same dedication to community and legacy that TSK embodies, making this recognition even more meaningful. Bill No. 36-0121 represents a fitting way to honor TSK’s influence on our territory. While the Department of Public Works does not have jurisdiction over the park itself, we stand ready to support this initiative. Renaming the Peter Carl Limpricht Park to the TSK Park will