‘Corcoran’s Cesar Chavez’: New statue honors late community leader
CORCORAN, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – It was a big day for the City of Corcoran Saturday as it unveiled a statue in honor of the late Corcoran Mayor Raymond Lerma.
Hundreds gathered at Gateway Park Saturday afternoon to get a first glimpse of the bust honoring the late community leader.
Lerma spent seven terms on the Corcoran City Council and was serving as the city’s mayor when he suddenly passed away in January 2020.
“I was in awe of what Raymond used to do, what he did, and what he accomplished,” said one of Lerma’s brothers, Raul Lerma.
Before his time in public office, Lerma spent close to four decades as a teacher at Corcoran High School.
Those who worked with him say he was known for his strong work ethic and dedication to empowering the Latino community.
“Raymond Lerma. He was Corcoran’s Cesar Chavez in a number of ways, in the way he lived his life, in the way he taught us. A lot of people come from very humble beginnings here. But he never made you feel like that. He showed you how to go do the hard work to aspire in life,” said Kings County Supervisor for District 2 Richard Valley.
After the ceremony, everyone got to take in the statue while listening to a live mariachi band and dig into some tacos as they remembered the life of the beloved community leader, Raymond Lerma.
