Congresswoman Plaskett Celebrates House Passage of Legislation to Honor Virgin Islands Music Legend Peter G. Thurland Sr.

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland September 14, 2026                                                    202-808-6129 PRESS RELEASE CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO HONOR VIRGIN ISLANDS MUSIC LEGEND PETER G. THURLAND SR. Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 8121 , legislation introduced by Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) to designate the Christiansted Bandstand in Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, as the “Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand.” “I am pleased that the House has passed H.R. 8121 to designate the Christiansted Bandstand as the Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “The Christiansted Bandstand is one of the most significant cultural landmarks in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Peter Thurland helped build it, served his country with distinction, and dedicated decades of his life to the cultural life of St. Croix. I thank Chairman Westerman (R-AK), Ranking Member Huffman (D-CA), and the Members and staff of the House Committee on Natural Resources for their expeditious consideration of this bill, and I thank my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support.” The Christiansted Bandstand has served for over a century as a gathering place for residents and visitors and as the center of St. Croix’s musical and civic life. Peter Gregory Thurland, Sr., was born on February 19, 1892, in Christiansted, St. Croix, and performed with the Christiansted Industrial Brass Band at the March 31, 1917, ceremony that marked the transfer of the Virgin Islands to the United States. He went on to enlist in the U.S. Navy, where he was instrumental in the physical construction and design of the Bandstand and performed there with the Christiansted Naval Band until his honorable discharge in 1921. In 1938, Mr. Thurland founded the St. Croix Community Band, leading free monthly concerts at the Bandstand for three decades and training generations of young musicians until 1968. This legislation was first introduced by Congressman Ron de Lugo in the 103rd Congress. Congresswoman Plaskett is proud to carry it forward in the 119th Congress on behalf of the Thurland family, who have long advocated for this recognition. This bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration, and if passed, it will proceed to the President's desk to be signed into law. ###