Newly installed Senate President Joshua Koshiba is the country’s longest-serving elected official since the inception of the Palau Constitutional Government.
The Senate Public Information Office in a press statement following Koshiba’s appointment to replace the late Senate President of the 7th Olbiil Era Kelulau Johnny Reklai detailed his track record particularly as an outstanding lawmaker.
Koshiba was previously Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary & Governmental Affairs and Foreign Relations and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Resources, Commerce, Trade and Development He has served as Senate President in the Second and Third OEK.
Koshiba was elected to the First OEK in 1980 under the Constitutional Government of Palau. He was re-elected in 1984 to the 2nd OEK where he served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
When the Senate of the 2nd OEK reorganized in October 1986, Koshiba was elected President. Re-elected again to the 3rd OEK, Koshiba became the Senate President until 1991 when the Senate reorganized.
In 1992, he was re-elected to the 4th OEK and chaired the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Re-elected in November 1996, Koshiba became the Chairman of the Committee on Education and served on various committees. In November 2000, Koshiba was re-elected as he got the second highest vote and served as the Chairman of the Committee on Health and Education, vice chairman of the Committees on Judiciary and Governmental Affairs, Foreign Affairs and State Relations served as a member of the Committees on Ways and Means and Financial Matters, Tourism Development and Cultural Affairs, and Youth Affairs and Social Welfare.
Koshiba has been active in community sports organizations and taught mathematics at Palau High School for twelve years.
At the 1989 commencement exercises at the University of Guam, Koshiba was awarded the Most Outstanding Alumni Award in recognition of his leadership in the Micronesian region.
Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors of United Micronesia Development Association (UMDA).
Koshiba has had wide legislative experience as Chairman of Health, Education and Welfare Committee of the Fifth Palau Legislature and as Vice Speaker of the Sixth Palau Legislature.
He served in Palau's First Constitutional Convention as a delegate from Koror State.