It’s hard to believe my time in public office has come to an end after nearly four decades. Representing my community at the county and national levels has been the honor of my lifetime.

I am proud of my record of success on Capitol Hill, especially my time working on behalf of our national security as a member of the House Intelligence Committee and a defense appropriator. I was the top Democrat on the committee during the capture of Osama bin Laden, the diplomatic attacks in Benghazi and the Edward Snowden leaks. I was among the first to sound the alarm on the cyber threat and traveled to dozens of countries including Iraq, Iran and Yemen to ensure our troops had what they need to do their job and get home safely.

For years, I co-chaired the bipartisan House Army Caucus and chaired the nonpartisan Naval Academy Board. And I came to believe that our national security is not a Democratic or Republican issue — it’s an American issue — and I made lifelong friends on both sides of the aisle working toward our common defense. I hope my colleagues in Congress continue to try to work together whenever and wherever possible.

Serving on the House Appropriations Committee gave me the opportunity to secure billions of dollars for local projects including road and bridge repairs, school improvements and tools for fire and police departments. My earmarks benefited Maryland’s economic lifelines like the Chesapeake Bay, Port of Baltimore and our hospitals — including the University of Maryland Shock Trauma, where my life was saved. In fact, it was that 30-day stay after a near-fatal car crash in the 1970s that motivated me to first run for office.

Drawing from my early years as a prosecutor and, then, a Baltimore County councilman and executive, I focused much of my work in Washington on policies that benefit local government. I founded the Municipal Finance Caucus to advocate for legislation to help counties finance infrastructure. We worked to provide counties and cities with emergency aid during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep first responders, teachers and other frontline public servants on the job. And I helped governments protect their cyber networks from attack.

Perhaps my greatest accomplishments aren’t about policy. They are about people. Constituents sometimes stop me at restaurants or the grocery store and tell me about how my office — and especially my amazing team in Timonium — has helped them. A veteran who got his overdue benefits because my staff and I intervened. A woman whose son got his passport expedited just in time to catch his flight for his honeymoon. A small business owner who kept payroll during COVID because we helped with a loan application. These conversations mean the world to me.

I want my legacy to be that I never forgot my constituents. I want my legacy to be of leadership grounded in common sense, integrity and a collaborative spirit. I am humbled and grateful that the citizens of my district have trusted me for so many years to represent them. I have never taken that trust — and responsibility — for granted.

The decision to retire now was extremely difficult. But I know there are other leaders — including my successor — who will carry the torch of equity and decency. I want to thank my wife, children and the rest of my family for the sacrifices they have made to enable me to serve in elected office. I also want to thank my team. As a former athlete, I believe you’re only as good as your team and mine was the best — both in Washington and at home in the district.

Finally, I thank my constituents for giving me the gift of serving my country and neighbors.

Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger represents Maryland’s 2nd District in Congress. His Twitter address is @Call_Me_Dutch.