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