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9/11 First Responders' Stories Going Into Library Of Congress

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The powerful and emotional firsthand accounts of the 9/11 first responders will be permanently archived in the Library of Congress.

WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs With The Story

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Rep. Steve Israel and Rep. Peter King were key in making this possible.

Israel says permanently installing these oral histories is important.

"The passage of time fades and erodes even the most powerful memories and I think it's vitally important that future generations be able to hear firsthand what it was like on that day on 9/11 from the people who were actually there," he says.

"The important thing to me is have that firsthand and first impression account there from those who really put themselves on the line," says King.

More than 135 oral histories will be part of the collection.

Ken George is among them and he says it's important for his children.

"That's what I hope for all the other responders, too, that their family members get to see their story later on in life when they're not around to tell the story," he tells WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs.

"This project is our way of saying 'Thank you for letting us tell our story,'" says John Feal, an activist who speaks for the thousands of first responders.

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