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                                                                  Exhibit 23(a)

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement and related Prospectus of Danaher Corporation and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 29, 2003, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements of Danaher Corporation as of
and for the year ended December 31, 2002, included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Baltimore, Maryland
April 28, 2003

