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COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION BILL NO. 36-0121 Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Virgin Islands July 23, 2025 An act to rename the Peter Carl Limpricht Park the TSK Park in honor of the Ten Sleepless Knights quelbe band and making an appropriation to effectuate that change PROPOSED BY: Senators Marise C. James, Clifford A. Joseph, Sr., Kenneth L. Gittens and Angel L. Bolques. Jr. Co-sponsor: Hubert L. Frederick WHEREAS, the Ten Sleepless Knights, commonly known as TSK, is a renowned quelbe 1 band formed in 1970, dedicated to preserving and performing the official music of the Virgin 2 Islands; 3 WHEREAS, the founding members—Stanley Jacobs, recipient of an honorary Doctor 4 of Humane Letters degree from the University of the Virgin Islands, Eldred “Edgie” Christian, 5 Herman “Green Bug” Thompson Sr., and Christian “Te” Thompson—have significantly 6 influenced the Virgin Islands’ cultural identity; 7 WHEREAS, Stanley Jacobs, the sole surviving original member and a flutist 8 extraordinaire, has led TSK to the success it has today, and as a leader, he has served the role 9 of musical ambassador around the world; and 10 WHEREAS, the current ensemble includes original and new members, such as Christian 11 “Te” Thompson, Kevin Christian, Tino Francis, Kenneth Henderson, Gilbert Hendricks Sr., Dr. 12 2 Olaf “Bronco” Hendricks, Kendall “KC” Henry, Dr. Lauren “Larry” Larsen, Shelton “Shelly” 1 Shulterbrandt, Harold Johnson, and Herman “Junie” Thompson Jr., each contributing distinct 2 talents in instrumentation, education, and community engagement; 3 WHEREAS, over the decades, past members of TSK have also made meaningful 4 contributions, helping shape and sustain the band's legacy; 5 WHEREAS, members of TSK have remained deeply involved in preserving Virgin 6 Islands culture through initiatives like the Quelbe Education Program, the V.I. Folklife Festival, 7 cultural scholarship programs, and historical preservation efforts through lectures, recordings, 8 and exhibitions; 9 WHEREAS, TSK has brought quelbe music to the global stage, receiving acclaim while 10 representing the Virgin Islands’ unique cultural voice and identity; 11 WHEREAS, officially started in 1952, the Crucian Christmas Festival blends 12 celebrations and Christmas traditions that stem from the days of slavery, colonial rule, and 13 celebration of freedom; 14 WHEREAS, the park currently known as Peter Carl Limpricht Park—located on King 15 Street between Prince and King Cross Streets in downtown Christiansted—is now the central 16 space for the Ah Glow in Deh Park: Deh Village of Lights celebration, an annual holiday event 17 that is sponsored by the Crucian Cultural Group and the Christiansted Community Alliance, 18 Inc.; 19 WHEREAS, thirteen park trees and the traditional crucian inkberry tree planted in the 20 Park by the Crucian Cultural Group are uniquely decorated by community members and 21 sponsors with locally crafted items before the lighting of the trees in the park; 22 WHEREAS, the Ah Glow in Deh Park: Deh Village of Lights decoration and 23 illumination event, now recognized as a mainstay of the Crucian Christmas Festival highlights 24 3 the history, traditions, and culture of St. Croix and features entertainment from moko jumbies, 1 traditional dancers, and a grand performance by TSK; 2 WHEREAS, residents suggested that the name of the park be changed to signify that the 3 park is a social gathering place for cultural events and public gatherings, including Christmas 4 celebrations and musical performances; 5 WHEREAS, for over 50 years, TSK’s beloved tradition of midnight Christmas serenades 6 across St. Croix have marked the start of the Crucian Christmas Festival, keeping alive a 7 vibrant, intergenerational cultural heritage; 8 WHEREAS, Peter Carl Limpricht, a former Danish West Indies official, does not reflect 9 the lived experience or cultural history of the Virgin Islands community as powerfully as TSK 10 does; and 11 WHEREAS, Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights is the leading conservators of quelbe 12 music and culture bearers of the Virgin Islands unique musical heritage; Now, Therefore, 13 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 14 SECTION 1. (a) The Peter Carl Limpricht Park in Christiansted, St. Croix is renamed 15 TSK Park in honor of the Ten Sleepless Knights and its unparallel contributions to Virgin 16 Islands culture, heritage, and musical education over the past 55 years. 17 (b) All references to the Peter Carl Limpricht Park in Virgin Islands law, maps, official 18 documents, and public signage must be revised to reflect this name change. 19 (c) The sum of $25,000 is appropriated from the General Fund of the Treasury of the 20 Government of the Virgin Islands, in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, to the Virgin 21 Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation for design, fabrication, and installation of 22 signage reflecting the new name of the park. The signage must be clearly visible at all entrances 23 to the park bearing the inscription “TSK Park”. The Department of Sports Parks and Recreation 24 4 must also install informational bronze plaques throughout the park detailing the history and 1 cultural contributions of Stanley Jacobs and the Ten Sleepless Knights. In the public roadway 2 in front of all entrances, the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with 3 the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, shall inscribe in the roadway, using permanent 4 paint and with markings consistent with industry standards, “TSK Park”. 5 (d) The Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation shall ensure that 6 all signage, plaques, inscriptions, and related installations meet industry, design and quality 7 standards. 8 (e) The sum appropriated in subsection (c) remains available until expended. 9 BILL SUMMARY 10 This bill renames the Peter Carl Limpricht Park the TSK Park in honor of the Ten 11 Sleepless Knights and appropriates $25,000 to erect signage bearing the inscription “TSK 12 Park”. 13 BR25-0275/March 14, 2025/SLR/Revised July 21, 2025 14