Biography of
Representative C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger

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Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger is serving his second term in the United States House of Representatives representing the citizens of Maryland's 2nd District. Congressman Ruppersberger is known as a consensus builder who works with Members from both sides of the aisle to get results for Maryland and the nation.

In what Congressional Quarterly called "a coup", Congressman Ruppersberger was the first Democratic freshman ever to be appointed to the powerful House Select Committee on Intelligence. The committee oversees the collection and analysis of intelligence information from all around the world to ensure our national security and prevent potential crisis situations - especially terrorist activity.

Congressman Ruppersberger was hand-picked by the Democratic Leadership and named an Assistant Whip. In this prestigious position he meets regularly with the House leadership to help set legislative priorities and to ensure the passage of key measures.

Congressman Ruppersberger serves on the Government Reform Committee, the investigative arm of Congress, where he works to prevent government fraud and waste and to craft reforms to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs. The Congressman was also elected by his freshman Democratic peers to represent them on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

Congressman Ruppersberger is working hard in Washington to create jobs and rebuild our economy in Maryland and across the country. He is dedicated to improving healthcare for everyone and helping seniors by providing them with quality, affordable and accessible healthcare and prescription drugs. The Congressman considers one of his highest priorities to improve the security of our homeland and get our first responders the money they need to protect our communities and our families.

Maryland's 2nd District includes parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County and Harford County. It is a vital center of trade and commerce for the state and national economy as it includes Baltimore-Washington International Airport, the Port of Baltimore and thousands of businesses and manufacturing concerns dependent on these international gateways. The 2nd is also home to the National Security Agency, Fort Meade, Aberdeen Proving Ground, and other installations essential to the country's national security.

Congressman Ruppersberger has spent the last 17 years serving his community as an elected official. Before being elected to the 108th Congress, he was the Baltimore County Executive from 1994 to 2002. Under his leadership, Baltimore County was named one of the nation's four best-managed counties by Governing Magazine in 2001 and is still one of only 19 counties nationally which continue to receive a triple-A bond rating from all three of the country's bond rating agencies. Prior to serving as County Executive, Congressman Ruppersberger served nine years on the Baltimore County Council and was twice elected as council chairman.

Congressman Ruppersberger chose a political career after a near-fatal car accident in 1975 while investigating a drug trafficking case as a State's Attorney. With luck and the dedication of doctors at the University of Maryland's renowned Shock Trauma center, he survived. After recovering the young investigative prosecutor decided to run for public office to help others and to repay Shock Trauma for saving his life. Today, he remains an active supporter of the hospital, serving as Vice Chairman of the hospital's Board of Visitors.

A native of Baltimore City, Congressman Ruppersberger spent his summers as a lifeguard in Ocean City. He attended Baltimore City College and the University of Maryland at College Park, where he played varsity lacrosse. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore Law School. The Congressman has been married for 34 years to his high school sweetheart, the former Kay Murphy. Together they have two grown children, Cory and Jill.