Albany, NY — The Arbeeny family and the Empire Center are marking five years of partnership in remembrance of Norman Arbeeny, who passed away six years ago today after contracting COVID-19 in a Brooklyn nursing home.
 
To honor Norman’s memory and support efforts to bring greater transparency to state government, the Arbeeny family donated to support the Empire Center’s work.
 
“We are confident that the Empire Center promotes responsible and accountable government, and that it is honoring our father’s legacy,” said Peter Arbeeny, Norman’s son.
 
“New York government should not be hiding information from New Yorkers,” said Zilvinas Silenas, president of the Empire Center for Public Policy. “Transparency means New Yorkers can quickly and easily see what their government is doing—and why—without having to dig for answers. That’s the standard the Empire Center is fighting for.”
 
The Arbeeny family’s contributions have supported the Empire Center’s ongoing efforts to advance government transparency and accountability.

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