Murray Hill, NJ -- December 12, 2001 -- The Board of Directors of C. R. Bard, Inc. (NYSE-BCR) today declared a regular quarterly dividend of 21 cents per share on Bard's common stock. The current indicated annual dividend rate is 84 cents per share. The dividend is payable on February 1, 2002 to shareholders of record January 21, 2002, provided that the company's merger with a subsidiary of Tyco International is not completed by the record date.

C. R. Bard, Inc., (www.crbard.com) headquartered in Murray Hill, New Jersey, is a leading multinational developer, manufacturer and marketer of health care products in the fields of vascular, urology, oncology and surgical specialty products.