The Rev. Jesse Jackson will join Carlos Santana and Mary J. Blige as an honoree at Rock the Vote's annual Patrick Lippert Awards, on February 20 at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. The political activist — who recently scaled back his public activities after it was revealed he fathered a child outside his marriage — will receive the 2001 Rock the Nation Award for his work with the Rainbow Coalition, Operation PUSH and Operation Breadbasket, according to a Rock the Vote press release. Jackson was also outspoken about alleged racial intimidation at Florida polling places during the 2000 presidential election.

MTV Group President and Chairman of Interactive Music Judy McGrath will receive the 2001 Rock the Vote Founder's Award for the MTV network's commitment to the organization's efforts to register and educate young voters. MTV has contributed more than $10 million in donations and on-air programming to Rock the Vote, according to the release.

Santana and Blige also will be honored at the awards ceremony, it was announced last week (see ). Foo Fighters, Jill Scott and Black Eyed Peas will perform at the event, which is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased by calling 310-559-9334.