<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>ex99-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>

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Contact:
Colleen White, Corporate Communications - 201-847-5369
Patricia Spinella, Investor Relations - 201-847-5453


                           BD BOARD DECLARES DIVIDEND


Franklin Lakes, NJ (May 25, 2004) - The Board of Directors of BD (Becton,
Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX) has declared a quarterly dividend of 15
cents per common share. The dividend will be payable on June 30, 2004 to
holders of record on June 9, 2004. The indicated annual dividend rate is
60 cents per share.

BD is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life
science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public. BD
manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory
equipment and diagnostic products. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003,
BD reported total revenues of $4.528 billion.




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