LUTHERVILLE, Md.-Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) stuck his neck out to support credit unions and now they are trying to return the favor. When Ruppersberger became the first Maryland lawmaker to co-sponsor the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act (H.R. 2317), he reportedly took a lot of heat from the bankers. So the Maryland & D.C. Credit Union Association-in conjunction with First Financial Federal Credit Union of Maryland-threw a fund-raiser for his campaign Feb. 6 in appreciation of his support. Over 40 credit union people attended the event at the Lutherville branch of First Financial representing 18 credit unions, according to MDDCCUA Vice President of Governmental and Public Affairs Maureen McAtee. The fund-raiser brought in $5,000. "It's something we've never done before and we decided that he was clearly the one we would start with," she explained.