USVI Public Records

Document text

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION 09/22/2025-AMENDED AND REPORTED OUT TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES AND JUDICIARY BILL NO. 36-0121 Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Virgin Islands July 23, 2025 An act to rename the Peter Carl Limpricht Park the Ten Sleepless Knights 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., Avery L. Lewis, Kenneth L. Gittens, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Kurt A. Vialet, and Franklin D. Johnson Co-sponsors: Hubert L. Frederick, Ray Fonseca and Novelle E. Francis, Jr. WHEREAS, the Ten Sleepless Knights, is a renowned quelbe band formed in 1970, 1 dedicated to preserving and performing the official music of the Virgin Islands; 2 WHEREAS, the founding members—Stanley Jacobs, recipient of an honorary Doctor 3 of Humane Letters degree from the University of the Virgin Islands, Austin Eldred “Edgie” 4 Christian, Herman “Green Bug” Thompson Sr., and Christian E. “Te” Thompson—have 5 significantly influenced the cultural identity of the Virgin Islands; 6 WHEREAS, Stanley Jacobs, the sole surviving original member and flutist 7 extraordinaire, has led the Ten Sleepless Knights to the success it has today, and as the band 8 leader, he has served the role of cultural ambassador around the world; and 9 WHEREAS, the current ensemble includes Dr. Lauren “Larry Larsen, Dr. Olaf “Bronco” 10 Hendricks, Gilbert Hendricks, Kendell Henry, Kevin Christian, Herman “Junie” Thompson, 11 2 Jr., Sheldon “Shelley” Shulterbrandt, and Kenneth Henderson each contributing distinct talents 1 in instrumentation, education, and community engagement; 2 WHEREAS, over the decades, past members of the Ten Sleepless Knights have also 3 made meaningful contributions, helped shape and sustain the band's legacy; 4 WHEREAS, members of the Ten Sleepless Knights have remained deeply involved in 5 preserving Virgin Islands culture through initiatives like the Quelbe Education Program, the 6 V.I. Folklife Festival, scholarship programs, and historical preservation efforts through 7 lectures, recordings, and exhibitions, and various cultural events and live performances 8 throughout the territory; 9 WHEREAS, the Ten Sleepless Knights has brought quelbe music to the global stage, 10 receiving acclaim while representing the Virgin Islands’ unique cultural voice and identity; 11 WHEREAS, Stanley Jacobs, recipient of the 2022 National Endowment for the Arts 12 Fellow, Quelbe Flutist, and Band Leader from St. Croix, Virgin Islands, has elevated Quelbe 13 Music on a National Platform, as well as the band’s 2016 Smithsonian Folkways recordings; 14 WHEREAS, officially started in 1952, the Crucian Christmas Festival blends 15 celebrations and Christmas traditions that stem from the days of slavery, colonial rule, and 16 celebration of freedom; 17 WHEREAS, the park currently known as Peter Carl Limpricht Park—located on King 18 Street between Prince and King Cross Streets in downtown Christiansted—is now the central 19 space for the Ah Glow in Deh Park, an annual holiday event that is sponsored by the Crucian 20 Cultural Group and the Christiansted Community Alliance, Inc.; 21 WHEREAS, thirteen park trees and the traditional crucian inkberry tree planted in the 22 Park by the Crucian Cultural Group are uniquely decorated by community members and 23 sponsors with locally crafted items before the lighting of the trees in the park; 24 3 WHEREAS, the Ah Glow in Deh Park, decoration and illumination event, now 1 recognized as a mainstay of the Crucian Christmas Festival highlights the history, traditions, 2 and culture of St. Croix and features entertainment from moko jumbies, traditional dancers, and 3 a grand performance annually by the Ten Sleepless Knights; 4 WHEREAS, residents suggested that the name of the park be changed to signify that the 5 park is a social gathering place for cultural events and public gatherings, including Christmas 6 celebrations and musical performances; 7 WHEREAS, for over 55 years, the Ten Sleepless Knight’s beloved tradition of midnight 8 Christmas serenades throughtout St. Croix officially commences the Crucian Christmas 9 Festival, keeping alive our vibrant, intergenerational cultural heritage; 10 WHEREAS, Peter Carl Limpricht, a former Danish West Indies official, does not reflect 11 the lived experience or cultural history of the Virgin Islands community as powerfully as the 12 Ten Sleepless Knights does; and 13 WHEREAS, Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights is the leading conservators of quelbe 14 music and culture bearers of the Virgin Islands unique musical heritage; Now, Therefore, 15 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands: 16 SECTION 1. (a) The Peter Carl Limpricht Park in Christiansted, St. Croix is renamed 17 the Ten Sleepless Knights Park in honor of the Ten Sleepless Knights and its unparalleled 18 contributions to Virgin Islands culture, heritage, and musical education over the past 55 years. 19 (b) All references to the Peter Carl Limpricht Park in Virgin Islands law, maps, official 20 documents, and public signage must be revised to reflect this name change. 21 (c) The sum of $25,000 is appropriated from the General Fund of the Treasury of the 22 Government of the Virgin Islands, in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, to the Virgin 23 Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation for design, fabrication, and installation of 24 4 signage reflecting the new name of the park. The signage must be clearly visible at all entrances 1 to the park bearing the inscription “The Ten Sleepless Knights Park”. The Department of Sports 2 Parks and Recreation must also install informational bronze plaques throughout the park 3 detailing the history and cultural contributions of Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights. In 4 the public roadway in front of all entrances, the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, 5 in collaboration with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and VI Council of the 6 Arts in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, shall inscribe in the 7 roadway, using permanent paint and with markings consistent with industry standards, “The 8 Ten Sleepless Knights Park”. 9 (d) The Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation shall ensure that 10 all signage, plaques, inscriptions, and related installations meet industry, design and quality 11 standards. 12 (e) The sum appropriated in subsection (c) remains available until expended. 13 BILL SUMMARY 14 This bill renames the Peter Carl Limpricht Park the Ten Sleepless Knights Park in honor 15 of the Ten Sleepless Knights and appropriates $25,000 to erect signage bearing the inscription 16 “The Ten Sleepless Knights Park”. 17 BR25-0275/March 14, 2025/SLR/Revised July 21, 2025 18 ..\..\..\..\AMENDS\36th Legislature\JAMES, MARISE C\Amendment 36-525\36-525- 19 DRAFTED ON YELLOW.pdf 20