The president's comments came a few days after Holocaust Remembrance Day. He also announced a series of steps to promote human rights and prevent genocide around the world.

Obama was introduced by Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel, who said that as the nation's chief executive and a father, the president's duty is to remind future generations that the Holocaust happened.

"We must tell our children about a crime unique in human history, the one and only Holocaust," Obama said. "Six million innocent people -- men, women, children, babies -- sent to their deaths just for being different, just for being Jewish."

He added that these "seeds of hate" cannot be allowed to take root again. The president said an individual commitment to the Jewish people extends to American support for Israel.

"When attempts are made to delegitimize the state of Israel, we oppose them," Obama continued.

"When faced with a regime that threatens global security and denies the Holocaust and threatens to destroy Israel, the United States will do everything in our power to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon," he said.

In his speech, President Obama also mentioned South Sudan as one success story in his administration's fight against genocide.

Source: CBN News | John Waage