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The Ten Sleepless Knights Inc. A 501(C)(3) Organization P. O. Box 411, Christiansted, Virgin Islands 00821 Testimony of Lauren “Larry” Larsen, President, Ten Sleepless Knights Inc. In Support of Bill No. 36-0121 Virgin Islands Legislature Christiansted, St. Croix USVI Good Afternoon, Honorable Senator Avery L. Lewis, Chair of the Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, Consumer Protection, Members of the 36th Legislature. Also a pleasant good afternoon to the viewing and listening audience across the Virgin Islands and throughout the world. My name is Lauren “Larry” Larsen, and I am the proud President of the Ten Sleepless Knights Inc., a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Virgin Islands culture through music and education. I am honored to appear before you today to offer my full support for Bill No. 36-0121, which proposes to rename the Peter Carl Limpricht Park, located in the heart of Christiansted, St. Croix, to the TSK Park in honor of the Ten Sleepless Knights. On behalf of our organization, I extend heartfelt thanks to Senators Marise C. James, Clifford Joseph Sr., Kenneth L. Gittens, Angel L. Bolques Jr., and Hubert L. Frederick for championing this legislation. We are deeply moved by the recognition and the opportunity to be permanently woven into the cultural and physical landscape of our beloved town. For over 55 years, Ten Sleepless Knights has evolved from a group of music-loving childhood friends into a Virgin Islands cultural institution. Our mission has always been to preserve and promote Quelbe music, the official music of the Virgin Islands, and to ensure that our rich cultural heritage is passed on to future generations. Some of our accomplishments include: • Producing over 15 albums of traditional and original Quelbe music that reflect the life, history, and spirit of the Virgin Islands and its people. • Sponsoring college scholarships for students pursuing degrees in music. • Hosting an annual Folklife Festival, which educates and celebrates Virgin Islands traditions across all islands. • Documenting and preserving cultural expressions such as Cariso, Bamboula, Quadrille, Mokko Jumbie, and Masquerade traditions. • Performing across the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, the United States, and internationally, sharing our music and culture with the world. • Continuing the cherished tradition of the Christmas Foreday Serenade, bringing joy and music to our communities during the holiday season. • Preserving the Crucian-Rican Breakfast Tramp, a vibrant celebration that honors the deep cultural connections between Hispanic and Crucian communities. • Sharing Quelbe music with our senior citizens throughout the year, especially during Senior Citizens Month, as a way to honor their legacy and uplift their spirits. We have also mentored countless young people, teaching them the nuances of our musical and cultural traditions so that the art forms we cherish continue to thrive. The Ten Sleepless Knights Inc. A 501(C)(3) Organization Closing Remarks: Renaming this park is not simply about honoring a band—it is about honoring a movement. It is about recognizing the power of music and culture to unite communities, to educate, to inspire, and to preserve identity. The Ten Sleepless Knights have been ambassadors of Virgin Islands culture for more than half a century, and this renaming would serve as a permanent reminder to all who pass through Christiansted that our heritage is alive, vibrant, and worthy of celebration. Let this park stand as a beacon of pride, a place where our youth can be reminded of the value of tradition, and where our elders can see their legacy honored. Let it be a space where music continues to echo, stories continue to be told, and culture continues to thrive. There are two minor modifications we would like to recommend to Bill No. 36-0121. 1. We respectfully recommend that the bill be amended to officially rename the park as “Ten Sleepless Knights Park,” rather than using the abbreviated form “TSK Park.” This change would ensure that the full name—rich in cultural and historical significance—becomes part of the collective memory of future generations of Virgin Islanders. By preserving the full name, we honor the legacy of the Ten Sleepless Knights and reinforce the importance of cultural identity in our public spaces. 2. Lastly, we recommend that the proposed legislation fosters a strategic collaboration between the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources— specifically the Virgin Islands Council of the Arts. Such a partnership would allow us to leverage their expertise in design and their extensive artistic resources to enhance the visual and cultural impact of public signage. We further urge that all signage be designed and constructed to withstand the unique environmental conditions of the Virgin Islands, including our tropical climate, frequent inclement weather, and vulnerability to natural disasters. This will ensure both durability and continued enjoyment for all Virgin Islanders—now and for generations to come. We respectfully urge your support of Bill No. 36-0121, and we thank you for your commitment to preserving and uplifting the cultural soul of the Virgin Islands. Thank you for the opportunity to share our perspective on this important legislation. I am prepared to respond to any questions from this distinguished body. Lauren “Larry” Larsen President, Ten Sleepless Knights Inc.